Entitled “English Magic”, Deller’s exhibition is a critical exploration into British identity, the industrial revolution and popular culture.

A dramatic mural of St. Helier (the capital of Jersey) on fire remarks on a secretive tax-haven banking culture, while a provocative piece by the Victorian painter William Morris, hurling Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s super-size yacht out of the water, comments on the contemporary art world.

A selection of portraits of key political figures by British prisoners shows Deller’s skill in collaborating with people to create his hard-hitting works, and visitors can soak in the powerful messages in a room solely dedicated to tea drinking.

The 55th edition of this extraordinary art fair opened on Saturday, and features pavilions and provocative artworks from a total of 88 countries, located in the Giardini gardens in the city. Commissioned by the British Council, “English Magic” will show in the British Pavilion until November 24, before it travels to several UK venues in 2014.