The ‘Language of Colour’ neon works are based on colour’s power in conveying ideas and information, references, idioms and expressions relating to colour — words that are peculiar to themselves grammatically but whose relation to colour gives them specific meaning.

red dwarf

1. a faint reddish, cool star – the most common type of star in the Milky Way

2. a British science fiction sitcom

red mist

used in reference to a fit of extreme anger that temporarily clouds a person’s judgment

red herring

a clue or piece of information which is or is intended to be misleading

red carpet

a long, narrow red carpet laid on the ground for a distinguished visitor to walk along when arriving

red alert

a state of alert brought on by impending danger

red tape

excessive regulation that is redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision making

redneck

a derogatory term chiefly used for a rural or working-class white person from the southern US

red eye

1. the undesirable effect in flash photography of people appearing to have red eyes

2. a long distance flight that leaves at night and arrives early in the morning

3. a raw inferior whisky

red coat

1. historical military clothing worn by most regiments of the British army from the 17th to 20th centuries

2. the name given to staff at Butlins holiday camps in the UK