Award 33: U+Me=US

An installation work of 5 flags in red and white with the + being the St George flag. It is a direct response to the ‘Raise the Colours’ campaign who claim their flags stand for unity and togetherness but for most are read as anything but. Created by Kadir Karababa.

Kadir says 'I want to fight back against the rising tide of explicit xenophobia and nationalism represented by the “Raise the Colours” campaign and wrestle the England flag from the hands of racists, reclaiming it as a symbol of true unity and cohesion.'

The work deliberately uses the personal pronouns you, me and us to affirm that our

national identity is and should be about personal relationships, communities and coming together as one. The + of the flag becomes a symbol positivity and union and the = one of equality.

"I am a British-Turkish artist of mixed heritage - part of my family have long English roots and the other part are migrants. This work is therefore deeply personal for me and is part of a wider body of socially engaged practice that aims to counter the growing anti-migrant anti-multicultural zeitgeist." - Kadir.

The flags were flown from Nayland Rock on Margate seafront on 23 - 26 January as part of Off-Season festival.

Follow Kadir here