Tier-Wan Kenobi

Original figure: ‘Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi’ (Kenner, 1977).

Modified cardback, bespoke blister, HDPS rod, epoxy putty, acrylic paint.

“The tier pun is rather UK specific. The UK government introduced a three-tier regional lockdown system for England in October 2020 to manage local COVID-19 outbreaks by matching restriction levels to regional transmission rates.

- Tier 1 (Medium) allowed indoor and outdoor socialising for up to six people, but required hospitality venues to close by 22:00.

- Tier 2 (High) banned different households from mixing indoors and only permitted pubs to open if they served a substantial meal.

- Tier 3 (Very High) banned all household mixing in private spaces and closed all hospitality venues except for takeaway services.

- Tier 4 (Stay at Home) forced residents to remain at home except for essential reasons, banned all household mixing, and shut down non-essential retail and personal care businesses.

Tier-Wan mapped satisfyingly onto Obi Wan as Tier One wasn’t far from ‘no restrictions at all’ and this character is rather indifferent to the pandemic — smoking and forgetting his mask. This is in direct contrast to the character Tier-3-PO, who is somewhat freaking out.”