Passports in Art: Leave to Remain – Tate Britain
Over the years I have seen many arts protects involving passports. This is the latest art project, and it’s displayed at Tate Britain in London. Soheila Sokhanvari’s installation “Leave to remain” is featuring 35 genuine expired passports from the “Passport Portrait Series”.
The artist explores passport photos as a form of portraiture shaped by strict government rules. While these images serve as personal identifiers, they also reflect broader social and political contexts. Each passport in the project is stamped with a design that mimics official validation marks, but instead of standard text, the artist uses vintage advertising slogans.
This approach blends art and historical commentary. By referencing how both portraits and advertisements have been tools of propaganda, the work highlights the influence of corporations in political life – from Coca-Cola’s ties to Nazi meetings to Elon Musk’s support of Trump’s campaign. The artist draws on Mussolini’s idea that fascism merges state and corporate power, pointing to the complex dynamic between governments, corporations, and consumers.
The choice of advertising slogans stems from their post-war evolution, especially in America, where the language often carried sexist or dogmatic messages. By placing these texts within the context of passports, the artist creates a playful yet critical narrative. The work invites viewers to consider whether these slogans are just outdated relics or if they still carry authority when placed in a government-like setting.
As a passport historian, I view this work as a powerful reflection on how identity documents operate beyond their administrative purpose, revealing the entanglement of state authority, commercial influence, and personal identity. By inserting advertising slogans into the structure of official validation, the artist exposes the historical and ongoing interplay between propaganda, consumer culture, and national narratives. Passports in Art: Leave to Remain – Tate Britain
Many thanks to fellow collector Felix, a Spaniard in London who collects Spanish travel documents, for visiting the exhibition and letting me know about it. The passport pictures are from him. Also, thank you to Soheila Sokhanvari and Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery for kindly allowing me to use a few photos from their Instagram page.
Tom Topol | Passport History Expert & Author.
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