The Right Hand of God
By Kostya Benkovich
Bird&Carrot productions present the installation of Kostya Benkovich's monumental sculpture The Right Hand of God in Holland Park's Napoleon Garden. It was chosen by the esteemed select committee via an annual open call and is exhibited as part of Kensington + Chelsea Art Week (KCAW) and the fifth annual Public Art Trail. The installation is a first major outcome of the recently established Bird&Carrot artist residency.
Kostya is inspired by Kensington and Chelsea's rich artistic heritage and its "cutting-edge" reputation. He also believes his own goals are aligned with Kensington and Chelsea Art Week's mission to rethink the purpose and function of public spaces. From KCAW press release
KCAW Press Release
KCAW Press Release
Kostya Benkovich is an Israeli-based activist artist of Russian origin. His practice is built around the principle that art can transform society from within by bringing major shifts in people's consciousness. "No institution holds as much power as a single artist," believes Benkovich. This year, he participates in KCAW alongside such leading artists as Sokari Douglas Camp CBE, Gavin Turk, Kipling Hunt, Charlotte Colbert and many others. It is our joy and gratitude that the highly esteemed committee noticed and appreciated Benkovich' s talent and his anti-war spirit. The Right Hand of God conflates the traditional Medieval iconography pertaining to this gesture as the symbol of mercy, omnipotence and refuge for the righteous with artist's own interpretation of this gesture as the warning sign of the impending judgement and retribution for evil deeds.
