Artwork
Surveillance
Surveillance is a print by Matthew Radford. It dates from 2000 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This 2000 print titled *Surveillance* by Matthew Radford shows a city street crowd. It mimics the blurry, flickering look of a CCTV feed. The artist uses etching to copy that electronic feel with an old-school method.
He turns a common sight—watching from above—into art. The print tricks your eye into seeing a video where there’s only ink on paper.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
Surveillance is a 2000 print by Matthew Radford, depicting a city street scene with a crowd. The image mimics the visual characteristics of a CCTV feed.
Subject & Meaning
The print explores the theme of surveillance in urban environments, reflecting the prevalence of CCTV cameras in public spaces. It presents a familiar contemporary experience, transforming a mundane aspect of city life into a subject for artistic examination.
Technique & Style
Radford employed the traditional printmaking technique of etching to achieve a visual effect reminiscent of electronic or digital media. The labor-intensive process contrasts with the instantaneous nature of video technology, highlighting the artist's skill in translating a modern visual language into a classic medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Radford made a single print titled *Surveillance* in 2000. The work is a flat, black-and-white image that feels like a snapshot taken from above, its angles sharp enough to suggest a security camera’s view. The…
