Description
Big Brother Is Alive and Well and Living with Friends in Wigan
by Theodore Major
One of Theodore Major’s largest compositions and also one of his most important paintings.
From Major’s highly collectable skeleton series, this monumental painting is a commentary on politics and tax policy as Major depicts the tax inspector towering above the tiny artist at his easel against the background of the Wigan skyline.
In 1992, Major made headlines for refusing to pay a poll tax bill of nearly £2,000 on the unoccupied home that he used as a studio and to store his masterpieces. Major, who was opposed to the tax, was threatened with imprisonment. However, due to his age and health, both the sentence and the bill were eventually remitted .
Titled and signed to the reverse, this stirring painting is a window into Major’s pysche at the time and reflects his feelings very clearly towards authority and particularly the tax authorities.
Provenance: The Major Estate
Read more about Major’s conflicts with Wigan Council by clicking here.
