If I Ruled The World - Paul Gervais
Reader's Digest UK|May 2021
Artist and author of the PEN/Faulkner Award finalist, Extraordinary People, Paul Gervais’ latest exhibition is a series of portraits inspired by Lucian Freud
If I Ruled The World - Paul Gervais

I would be a king, not a prince. I used to want to be a prince. Mostly because I wanted to wear the clothes, whatever the era or culture: Renaissance, Ancient Egypt, Maasai warrior… My mother killed me with childhood dentistry and I appreciate that now that I’m old, but regrettably, this shower of affection did not make me a prince. Never mind, the prince thing is no longer my goal. I want to be king. That’s the ticket. And if so…

I would outlaw couples sitting side by side, facing out in a restaurant. This might be OK for them, a nice alternative to looking only at each other throughout the meal, but I don’t see why I should have to be the object of their attention with all the whispered comments and giggles. Sure, I’m paranoid, but so?

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