Shaun Doyle & Mally Mallinson
Tanky Monk, 2007. Photos: Neil Taylor and Harriet Murray, Campbell Works, London.
"'Tanky Monk' takes the form of a large table, the layout of smaller sculptures on the table mimicking the way theme park maps guide visitors to their various attractions. Seen as part theme park map, part giant railway set, the viewer is shown a landscape of conflicting beliefs and ideas taking the sculptural form of rides, costumed figures in parade, roller coasters and Christian iconography. Many of the smaller works within 'Tanky Monk' have been born from Doyle and Mallinson's interest in the clash between creationists and evolutionists, a debate more heated recently with the opening of creationist museums advocating intelligent design and educators refusing to teach these ideas as science. This conflict of positions Doyle and Mallinson likened to the proximity of the park, 'Monkey World' to its neighbour, the 'Tank Museum' in Dorset, UK. In 'Tanky Monk' the two attractions are merged and it is within this imaginary theme part that concepts of faith, religion and science are explored."
Extract from exhibition text, 'Tanky Monk', Campbell Works, London.