Deluge

Hilary Jack

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About the Artwork

Deluge consists of two LED text strips reminiscent of a scrolling newsreel.

The top line of the LED lists record breaking, hyperlocal and global flooding data from historic sources to the present day. The bottom line of the text, explores age-old biblical and folkloric flood narratives from ancient cultures and civilisations, including the iconic tale of Noah’s Ark.

Deluge focusses on the impact of global flooding in the context of the most defining issue of our age – the climate crisis. Its presence initiates meaningful conversations about global heating, end of days prophecy, belief and morality. Here in the City of London, Deluge throws a spotlight on surface water flooding and the link with the fossil fuel industry that lies at the heart of climate catastrophe.

Deluge was originally commissioned by Meadow Arts for Watermark, in Worcester.

Year: 2022

Artwork Transcript

Deluge, 2024 edition, Hilary Jack, Division of Labour, photo credit Nick Turpin.

Material

Scrolling LED

Dimensions

Dimensions variable

Artist Biography

Hilary Jack

Hilary Jack works across media in research based projects, site referential artworks, sculptural installations and interventions. The artist's work has an activist element which comments on the politics of place, socio-political and environmental issues. Hilary has exhibited across the UK and Internationally. Recent work includes a major new commission, Seaview, for Our Earth curated by Beth Hughes at Salisbury Cathedral; No Borders, for Yorkshire Sculpture Park, and The Custard Factory Birmingham, and Deluge, commissioned by Meadow Arts for Watermark, a multi-site exhibition across the city of Worcester. The artist's work is in public and private collections and has been acquired by The Government Art Collection, Alnoba Sculpture Park USA and Manchester Art Gallery.