Untitled (Sucker Darts)

James Howden’s giant sucker darts make a playful yet critical point about our social and cultural relationship with war and violence. Referencing the form of toy gun bullets, they elude to the apparent double standard in society; where war and violence are condemned yet seemingly also normalised through toys, video games and play. The darts were created as part of Howden’s Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show in 2016. As well as these four darts on the Hunter Building, others were placed around Edinburgh College of Art including on one of the windows of the Main Building. Whilst most were removed, those on the Hunter Building remain in situ. In 2019 the darts were formally acquired by the University of Edinburgh Art Collection.

University of Edinburgh, Art Collection: EU5769