Proud to say that I have been added to The John Byrne Award October shortlist with They Don’t Deserve Me and its accompanying video.

This award is open to any Scottish creative, no matter their medium. The only stipulation is that the artist write a short essay discussing their work, with a central question that defines the project. 

Read my entry below…

‘Is True Arrogance Better Than False Humility?’

“The internet is replacing our short human memory. Now nothing is forgotten; we churn in an indelible tomb of past transgressions. Hyper-accountable, we endure the daily threat of trials by Twitter, cancel culture, and social media backlash. We pray false modesty, fake humility and carefully moderated opinion will save us. And so, to back yourself entirely and declare that perhaps “they don’t deserve me” is an increasingly provocative option. I explore that idea in this song and accompanying video.

Locked over a disco groove, this work dangerously toes the line between healthy self-respect and ego-maniacal self-adoration. Is it vulgar hubris, or is it safely tongue in cheek? The crazed video features speeding cars, bulls-eye archery, and strobe-lit interpretive dance as I climb onto every available pedestal, challenging the viewer to tear me off and cut me back down to size. Is this arrogance to be respected or would a more humble, inauthentic offering be preferred?

In a culture drowning in social anxiety and charisma-constipation, They Don’t Deserve Me asks us to to above all things love ourselves, stick our heads above the parapet and, when necessary, admit we personally deserve better…”

The winning entry for October will be announced at the end of November, in a few weeks. See all the shortlisted October entries including my own over at The John Byrne Award website via the button below: