Born in Edinburgh in 1959, Hew Locke spent his formative years in Guyana, South America, before returning to the UK to study Fine Art at Falmouth (1988), and MA Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, London (1994).  

Developing a practice that explores the visual codes of power and cultural diversity, Locke draws attention to a range of subject matter; including royal portraiture, maritime and military history, public statuary, trophies and financial documents. His ability to fuse influences from both his Caribbean and British backgrounds, together with his own political and cultural concerns, makes for witty, multi-layered works which amalgamate modern materials with historical subject matter. Applying a critical sensitivity to his creative practice, Locke’s work stands at a crossroads between cultural associations and historic references that interrogates the symbols of our time.  

Hew Locke's work is included in numerous collections among which Tate; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Brooklyn Museum, New York; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; and The British Museum, London.