These haunting figures suspended in glass vessels are seemingly lost souls captured in a brief moment of their never ending journey through life. Pendulous, they have an air of forward momentum, but are simultaneously paralysed.
This specific vessel is capturing the tight, religious and conservative community of my medieval home town in the south of Holland. The nine figures represent a choir of my village's church, Saint Peter's Basilica. Driven by fear they are positioned close together in a circle, protecting one another on the journey through the uncertainties of life. They are safe but have misplaced their freedom to move and be themselves. Do they have a sense of belonging or did they lose it? Imprisoned or free, they surely will not reach their destination. But do any of us?
glass, balsa wood, vintage fabrics, twine, acrylic paint
43 x 24 cm
Finalist
Judges of the 2019 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize: Professor Ross Harley (Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design and UNSW Chair of Arts and Culture), Louise Herron AM (Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Opera House) and Tim Ross (Design and Architecture advocate, Broadcaster, Author and Comedian).
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