Alain Ayers

Vexillogy is the study of flags and images with flags. In his research into Vexillogy, Alain Ayres came across particular images and messages. His piece speaks of the effects of global warming and the rise of water levels that will impact and effect communities and local economies. A flood prevention scheme is currently under construction along the River Trent at County Hall; a location that synthesises the artist’s already curious interest in flags as he cycles passed the empty and silent flag poles which stand outside this local municipal landmark.

For Hinterland,  Ayers created a message in flags which sailed aboard the boat launch on October 1, 2006. Passengers were given a card on boarding which encouraged them to decipher the message the artist wishes to convey. Further messages appeared throughout the boat trip.

Alain Ayers is currentlyPostgraduate Programme Director at Camberwell College of Arts and was prevoiusly Academic Team Leader for Visual Arts in the School of Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University. He is also Secretary of the National Association for Fine Art Education (NAFAE) in the UK and on the Representative Board for ELIA, the European League of the Institutes for the Arts based in Amsterdam.