The drawings reprocess images of Velasquez, Hogarth and Victorian prints. Influenced by deep seated childhood memories of illustrations in history books, they explore the ambiguity of power and social circumstances. The romanticised exported violence of the mercenary is taken back to the bare bones: we do not know if he is fighting for the right side, and we are no longer able to trust what we see.

Based on images in books bought from jumble sales, charity shops and market stalls, influences also include the drawings of Van Gogh , Outsider Art and Victorian coloured printed scraps.

Locke's mark-making has evolved from the study of traditional African carvings, in particular Kuba carving from Zaire. The charcoal drawings developed into the giant cardboard cut-outs of 'The House of Windsor', intensively worked with marker pen, paint and stanley knife.

All images © Hew Locke and DACS 2005