I’m captivated. By the Faceless Bureaucrat.

Forgive me if I am leaving anyone out. I am a latecomer.

Would the designer of the graphic in Mia Garlick’s “The Faceless Bureaucrat” please stand up to be counted?

I love this graphic. I visit if often. It is a wordless essay. Who needs words?

It has style, strength (though its strong colours and posture), oomph, passion, mystery, solitude (faceless nameless, facing a difficult and thankless task – join the ranks, even non-bureaucrats feel that way,

Defiance (catch me if you can,

I have no name or face, you will never see me or speak to me, but I help run the nation’s affairs; being faceless and nameless you can never blame me for what I have done or not done – sometimes I wish I could take responsibility for something, alas no one knows what I have achieved, how long it took, I move silently through endless corridors, attend endless meetings, contemplate policies; take the blame for everything and credit for none.

Can you figure out who I am and what I represent from my garb – fabulous costume don’t you think? Or are you one of those who needs to engage eye to eye to look into the soul? Do I have a soul? Do I look like Dorian Gray? How does anyone know I have a soul? Would I sell it to the Devil? Would it matter if no one knows who I am or what I look like (see Picture of Dorian Gray Oscar Wilde)

(19th century Oscar Wilde, Irish actor, artist, dramatist, poet, wit, philosopher, satirist, much misunderstood in his day, died alone in prison in a climate of intolerance and prejudice – made a lasting literary impact. Oodles of personality, spohntaneous, self-indulgent, generous, loyal and extravagant

I encapsulate the concept of escapism whilst conveying the message of the misunderstood, under-appreciated and under-estimated.

Am I accountable despite being faceless? You tell me.

Catch me if you can.

Name yourself, graphic artist.

Visual communication is one of the most powerful tolls of communication. If you get it right, no words are needed.

If you get it wrong, words cannot compensate. Or can they?

Congratulations nameless and faceless graphic artist.

Can’t top lunch with Nicholas Gruen – but can say I am captivated.

Cheers

Madeleine

But Brian is right, we should acknowledge Nick’s design with an honourable mention – and at least one lunch with me should he fancy it (my shout). Email me if you fancy the idea Nick.