Yareah Magazine

Martin Askem 

by Martin Askem

When I grew up in the early eighties there was a television show I followed which had been produced in the late Sixties. This show was the cult classic ‘The Prisoner’.
This show to this day is considered one of the most thought provoking, groundbreaking and surreal shows ever made.
A high-ranking but un-named Agent in the British Government resigns from his job/post and leaves for a holiday. While packing he is gassed and is taken to a beautiful but deadly prison known only as "The Village" where people are taken, given a Number to be called by and kept there for the rest of their lives if they don't tell No. 2  the information they are captured for.

The Agent is given the title of "No. 6" ". The series tells of his attempts to resist the plots of each No. 2 (who is replaced with another if an attempt on No. 6 fails) to get his information and against any attempt to disrupt the nearly peaceful running of the "The Village". The Village is determined to crack The Prisoner by attempting to get the answer to why he resigned from his job/post. As time goes on, two questions plague The Prisoner's mind - How can he escape and who is the real leader of the Village - the mysterious No. 1?
This show had a profound effect on me as a young man growing up and ultimately as an artist now at the age of 36.
The prisoner’s message is open to so much debate and interpretation with the underlying message being the freedom of the individual. These interpretations on what can be considered such a ‘Strange’ show were subject for much ridicule towards me as a young man. However now, all these years later I find that I drew so many messages from this show, which enabled me to grow both personally and professionally.
My work is depiction of the human condition, and at times my images can be challenging and depression to my viewers. I however portray mankind’s fears and challenges. I allow each viewer to experience something that no other artist can. This for me is the greatest achievement any artist or indeed any member of the human race can do.
To indentify and control the inner being to be more than number in your own mind is where true enlightenment comes, when greatness resides.
The prisoner for me is a superhero because we are all prisoners in some form or another, sometimes without even being aware of it. When you escape from your ‘village’ and become ‘1’ you truly are free.

by Martin Askem

Read more about Martin Askem:

http://www.martinaskem.com/

*Yareah magazine es una revista cultural fundada y dirigida por el escritor Martín Cid: http://www.martincid.com
**Created and edited by the writer Martin Cid: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

by Martin Askem

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