(Left)
The Dream of Mr. Somebody
Gary Card (1981- )
2024
Painted fiberglass, gold foil and steel
259 x 229 x 450 cm

(Right)
Mr. Nobody
Anonymous
17th century
Delftware tin-glazed earthenware
18 x 12 x 24 cm
Collection of Victoria and Albert Museum, London
©️ Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The Dream of Mr. Somebody originates from the 17th century ceramic statue of Mr. Nobody brought from Britain for mass production in Jingdezhen. Mr. Nobody is a unique figure characterised by the absence of a torso (no body), with his legs directly connected to his neck. Filtered through Gary Card’s creative lens it has once again been placed back into public consciousness evolving into a new form whilst retaining the same comic characteristics from hundreds of years ago. Through this re-creation, Gary explores the sense of kaleidoscopic overstimulation and confusion that can arise out of modern life. Both historically as is today, the image of Mr. Somebody symbolises the hyper-connected global web that individuals partake in within the consumption of products and information.

In this new era full of challenges and opportunities, The Dream of Mr. Somebody is a thought-provoking emblem reflecting on the relationship between the individual and group, tradition and modernity. It not only touches upon inherited histories but also encourages one to further contemplate the intricacies and complexities of life through the expression of contemporary art.