SPOKEN STATE CANADA - MARK CARNEY
Principled and pragmatic: Canada’s path
Davos, 20 January 2026
About the PAINTING
An extract from Mark Carney’s 2026 Davos address is drawn and painted by hand to form the Canadian flag.
The words build the red fields and central maple leaf. From a distance, the flag is immediately recognisable; up close, the lettering reveals an argument about power, sovereignty and the choices facing nations.
Original painting: acrylic on aluminium composite panel.
Print EDITIONS
Signed and numbered archival pigment prints of the original paintings, produced in limited editions and available in two sizes. Each print is supplied unframed.
Archival pigment print on fine art paper.
Edition of 96
Signed & numbered
Size: 57 cm × 32 cm
Shown framed · Sold unframed
PROCESS
The aluminium panel is prepared, primed and painted white. Using a T-square and pencil, I map the selected passage across the flag, positioning each word around the central maple leaf.
The letters and surrounding colour are painted by hand in acrylic, building the image gradually in red and white.
The Text on the PaintinG
The selected passage includes Carney’s reference to Václav Havel’s story of a greengrocer who displays a slogan he does not believe.
Carney uses the story to question the habits of compliance that sustain political systems—and to call on countries to act honestly and independently.
Historical Context
On 20 January 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
His speech, “Principled and pragmatic: Canada’s path”, argued that the international order was undergoing a rupture. He described how powerful states were using economic dependence as a means of pressure, and called on middle powers such as Canada to strengthen their resilience and work together.
The painting brings this contemporary argument about sovereignty and cooperation into the familiar form of the Canadian flag.
Mark Carney — World Economic Forum address. Davos, 20 January 2026
ORIGINAL PAINTING
For availability and enquiries about the original painting, please contact Gary.