Faisal Abdu'Allah: The Browning of Britannia
Explore The Browning of Britannia at the BFI Southbank
The Browning of Britannia is a new BFI Southbank commission by British artist Faisal Abdu'Allah, which tells the extraordinary life of Ago Piero Ajano.
Presented as a video installation, it is the result of three years of research into the fascinating and mysterious life events of this man whose representative claims is part of the British Royal Family.
The story was first brought to Abdu'Allah's attention by Ago's 'power of attorney', who was steadfastly convinced that 'His Royal Highness' Ago is a direct descendant of King Edward VIII. Today, after having led a lavish lifestyle in London in the '80s, Ago is penniless and lives in a modest council flat.
Ago Piero Ajano's life in many ways exemplifies Abdu'Allah's concerns with ideas of truth and fiction, present in his previous work, with his aim to challenge authority. The commission has allowed the artist to develop his work through the use of the moving image, and to collaborate with Big Hug Ltd, an award winning production company which aims to portray the lives and experiences of black people in the UK.
The installation offers Ago the opportunity to tell the story of who he was, and who he has become. His tale of a lost fortune and an uncertain lineage is narrated by the man himself, illustrated by documents and photographs from his past, fleshed out through conversations with friends and acquaintances from his heyday, and constructing a complex story with questions of truth at its core. The Browning of Britannia portrays the subject in a sculptural and poetic manner; a multifaceted account of a life which defies logic and challenges knowledge and truth.
The exhibitions runs in the Gallery at BFI Southbank from February 14th until May 18th. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 8pm.
Find out more about events at the BFI Southbank.
How to get there
By tube or train the nearest stations are Waterloo, Embankment and Charring Cross. Bus routes include 1, 4, 26, 68, 76, 77, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 211, 243, 341, 381, 507, 521 and the RV1.
