“I have always made art in response to what I see happening in the world. I want people to look at my work and talk about the issues we face”.
Heath Kane
Heath has always been fascinated by the world around him: particularly where life, art and story telling collide. After decades of working in advertising and design it dawned on him that there was more to life than selling people shit they didn’t need.
Having worked with clients in the luxury goods market for quite a while, he found it hard to understand how some individuals had more wealth than entire countries. And so, he created Rich Enough to be Batman. He knew then that he wanted any art he made to be topical, political and to challenge the conventions of our lifestyles and the world we live in today.
He has always made art in response to what he sees happening in the world. Each of his collections explores a different political or social narrative. He wants people to look at his art and talk about the issues we face, both individually and as a community.
"When politics seems to be moving backwards (and while right wing governments continue to be in power) we need to be more active than ever in moving forwards. In creating art, I now have a voice that can help to bring about change. And, through buying my art perhaps you can join in that choir." says Heath.
"I will continue to create more art that brings awareness to the societal rifts that politics creates. I hope to ridicule these divisions whilst trying to create more tolerance and understanding for each other."
"Let’s work together in making the world better. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone."
Rich Enough to be Batman? This is the question that inspired Rich Enough to be Batman – the international best-selling collection. The print, depicting Queen Elizabeth II wearing a Batman mask provokes a pressing question about wealth and social contribution, through the idea that with enough money anyone can be a superhero.
The idea for the collection originated from The Sunday Times Rich List. Is it necessary to parade wealth around like a badge of honour? Or really, does it just amplify how little most of society have?
The conversation about wealth and social contribution is more relevant now than ever. We’re emerging from a global pandemic where the rich have got richer and poverty seems to be at an all-time high.
In a world where wealth has become concentrated into the hands of the ultra-elite, the question remains: how rich do you need to be before you become Batman?