Doomed in advance

From Beattie's 'Definition of peace' series (1976) this work relates to the artist's feelings as he was waiting for the telephone call that would tell him when he had to leave for Vietnam. The title refers to the fate of Vietnam conscripts but also to the vase of flowers that sits on a table, some of which are already dead and appear to be wired to the telephone cable. A packed kit bag leans against the table, suggesting an imminent departure. On the table lies a photograph of a baboon with two sets of eyes, which is printed with the words 'natural selection'. This is Beattie's way of suggesting that the ballot system was an unnatural and unjust means of selection. Two tubes of insects sits on the window pane. A stain glass window or door dominates the background. The surrounding walls are grey. Beattie's work in haunting in a surrealist manner. This work, among others created by Beattie,is controversial and sometimes seen as a harsh attack on the military.