Should the public vote for the artist on the new £20 note? No way – they've got terrible taste

The Bank of England wants the public to pick an artist to appear on the new £20. Here’s why it’s a gamble that will never pay off

What’s the matter with the Bank of England? Has it no opinions of its own? After getting bitten by online democracy over removing Elizabeth Fry from the £5 note – it had to put Jane Austen on the tenner to allay feminist criticism – the bank is now taking no chances with plans for an artist on the new £20. It is inviting us to suggest our favourites.

Oh great. Not only does our future in Europe hang on the whim of the great British public, but now we’ll also get whatever artist can attract a tidal wave of nominations as the next heroic face on our currency. Will it be JMW Turner? Or John Constable?

Related: Bank of England calls on public to think of visual artist to grace new £20 note

Continue reading...