Bell Jars

One side of this altarpiece has lithographs of Taihape bell jars printed from the plates without manipulation while the reverse side consists of lithographs printed on crushed tissue paper. With the smoothing out of the tissue comes the disturbance of the image as the paper cracks and opens up rifts in the surface. The distortion of the image creates an analogy to the slow fading away of verbal and visual memories of those we have known. Details become indistinct; pieces of the images are lost, replaced by empty spaces, the spaces refilled by vague memories.

The bell jar was traditionally used to provide an airless receptacle for scientists. Here it freezes a moment in time; the moment of the release of spiritual energy at the time of death.

The piece is intended to evoke a response from the viewer based on their personal internal history. This will be different for every individual yet as universal as death itself. It is intended as a confirmation and celebration of life as much as of death. Take from it what you will, and what you need.

• Categories:

  Printmaking, Sculpture