Frankston KFC
2009
Inkjet on watercolour paper
70 x 52 centimeters
Driving from Melbourne to the coastal fringe where I live entails passing through neighbourhoods which features clusters of fast food restaurants. I never patronise these places and I generally consider them a blight on the landscape but that bias has never precluded an interest in how they are designed to attract the attention of the driver or the younger passengers aboard.
The colourful geometry of this print features a construction I believe is called the Wopper Chopper which is clearly intended to induce children to become consumers of fast food. The red and white striped roof of the restaurant and the big tub with the KFC branding mounted on a pedestal signal the purpose of this business and makes it stand out from the dull tones of suburbia glimpsed in the background. The parked white van indicates another demographic likely to stop for a meal, the tradesman.
This print was included in an exhibition organised by an old friend who was part of a community who attempted to prevent the construction of a MacDonalds restaurant in their neighbourhood. Their long battle was unsuccessful and it highlighted the political divisions in that community, especially the camp in favour of the development who viewed the objectors as arrogantly hostile towards the cultural values of the people who enjoy eating fast food.