Hew Locke explores the visual codes of colonial and post-colonial power through a range of subject matter, imagery and media, including royal portraiture, coats-of-arms, public statuary, trophies, weaponry and costume. Solo exhibitions include The Wine Dark Sea, Edward Tyler Nahem Fine Art, New York (2016); Sea Power, The Kochi-Muziris Biennial, India (2014-15); Give and Take, performance, Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London (2014); For Those In Peril On The Sea, Perez Art Museum Miami (2014); The Kingdom of The Blind, Rivington Place, London (2008); and How Do You Want Me?, Hales Gallery, London (2008).
His work is represented in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; the British Museum, London; Tate Modern, London; the Imperial War Museum, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Pérez Art Museum, Miami; the Brooklyn Museum, New York; 21C, USA, the UK Government Art Collection; and the Arts Council of England.