RASHEED ARAEEN
The Golden Verses

1990–91

Rasheed Araeen’s full-colour billboard used a mix of Urdu calligraphy, oriental carpet design and English subtext to consider the ironies of being British, yet from another country or civilisation. The work asserted the presence and contribution of non-European cultures within multiracial Britain. The translation hidden within the rug reads: “White people are very good people, they have very white and soft skin, their hair is golden and their eyes are blue, their civilisation is the best civilisation, in their countries they live life with love and affection, and there is no racial discrimination whatsoever, white people are very good people.” The Golden Verses was shown in London and subsequently toured in the UK and abroad.