The Hypocrisy of Meritocracy

4 Sep-28 Sep 2025

Overview

THE ARTIST’S HUSBAND, JOSHUA RAFFELL and DAVE SMITHERS

As the BBC used to warn us, before they went in for a gloating itemisation of every single thing that could cause offence: ‘Those of a sensitive disposition may prefer to look away’.

Of course if you look away in this instance, you miss the whole show. There’s no way of wondering ‘What’s this?’ because what it is, is entirely visible. Its’s bits and pieces, mostly of bodies. Some important bits clearly missing. Human life, but as we’d rather not know it. Body parts that are here are precisely the ones that used to be unmentionable. Nipples and penises, mainly. That’s to say, nipples producing penises, and far too many of them, for one… whatever.

It’s a full-blown (per)version of the abject, and nothing but. Beautifully hand-made, exquisitely detailed stitchwork and papier mache freaks given raucous life and a joyous freedom. A circus of the damned is coming to town.The Masque of Comus, wild and untameable creatures leading the way. Gouaches in fervid ice-cream colours likely leading to a food fight.

As for a quick gloss on the title, we can thank an AI overview: ‘The myth of meritocracy can be used to justify existing inequalities by blaming individuals for their lack of success, rather than addressing the structural issues that create barriers.’

That fits. They’ve tried to make the best of themselves, with very special care in ornamenting and protecting the nipple-penises, but it’s not going to help. If anyone needed positive discrimination, take a look. They’re it. They’re never getting it.

Letting rip with an imagination most of us might prefer to damp down, with a care for detail and delicacy of handwork that few of us could match if we tried, The Artist’s Husband Joshua Raffell and Dave Smithers shocks, and disgusts, and amuses. And delights. All at once. Don’t look away.