Unrealised/Lost Project

Mark McGowan


Artist Sets Himself On Fire 2006

I have been trying to set myself on fire for some time now but have not managed partly because of the logistics of such an event, the dangers etc and partly because of the cost which would be involved in undertaking such a project. I applied for the Cartier Award 2006 to set myself on fire at the Frieze Art Fair in Regents Park in October but it was turned down. On 5th November 2007, Guy Fawkes night I tried to set fire to myself in Parliament Square but it was stopped by 30 riot police armed with fire extinguishers and i was threatened with a 72 hour section under the mental health act, saying I was a danger to myself and other people. I did a painting in 2006.