Nathaniel Mellors
Doncaster, GB, 1974 Works and lives in Amsterdam
Nathaniel Mellors studied in, among other places, the National Academy [Rijksakademie] of Art in Amsterdam, where he currently has an advisory role. His work has been exhibited all over the world. In 2011 he was awarded the Cobra Art Prize.
Nathanial Mellors uses theatrical, often grotesque, films and installations to examine the relationship between control, language and power. He combines aspects of film and theatre with an absurd sense of humour in order to examine the power of language as an instrument for both social interaction and for transferring information. His representations often involve an important role for electronically moving and talking heads.
The script for ‘The Seven Ages of Britain Teaser Face’ is about the mastery of language and the invention of the alphabet. It also reflects on the role television plays in creating historic stories. This film is a good example of Mellor’s keen eye for human behaviour, reflected with traces of irony. By using artificial personages, he confronts onlookers with (the shortcomings of) their own humanity.