Jack Philips

Castles and Caravans

Castles and caravans is a body of work that looks at the way that simple structures like beach huts can represent the culture and character of its location. 

The United States of America is known for its big, brash lifestyle and the stereotype is reflected in its architecture. The colours that are used in the presentation of these huts are also typical to the bright and glamorous nation that is famous for its celebrity culture.

In contrast to the vibrant colours and structural eccentricity of the American beach huts, we have the beach huts of a country known for its conservative lifestyle. Britain is known for its overcast weather and its dull coastline and these representations are once again shown through the pastel coloured shed-type buildings.

American huts being like castles in the sand, big and eye-catching and the British huts being like gypsy caravans.

This work is also a reflection of how values have changed in over a hundred years of beach leisure. The Victorians were the masterminds behind the beach huts who used them primarily as a way of preserving privacy. They made it possible for women to get to the water without losing any of their modesty by wheeling the huts down to the water.

This has evidently changed in modern times thanks to the Americans who thanks to places like muscle beach and Hollywood, one could argue are more inclined to expose themselves in public and who embrace the opportunity to show-off at the seaside.

Huts in Britain now are mainly seen as antiques and are used for storage when not in season, whereas the states use beach huts a means of posting lifeguards and a way to watch over people.