His Master's Voice

Depicts a wind-up performing circus toy dog, pushing a ball, which was made in the United States Occupied Zone in Germany, c.1945, intended for foreign markets after the Second World War. Allied forces at the time encouraged the production of industries to help rebuild the defeated country. Instead of the red floral apron wrapped around the dog on the original toy, in this print the dog is wearing a cloth made of combined allies flags (USA and Britain), while the ball he pushes are in the colours of the pre-war Iraq flag, a subtle intervention by the artist, and possible metaphor for the 'game playing' of war. The artist notes of this work; 'This comical dog somehow reminds me of the little nipper from the infamous label 'His Master's Voice' sitting inquisitively besides a phonograph. Originally a British icon but widely used by RCA records in America years later, this ironic twist of fate has been exploited once more'.