The power of three
This work from the sculptor’s Youth series has three distinct elements in play: the brutal military engine, the delicate naked young man and the flickering flame.
Light my fire
In this sculpture-cum-performance, a simple series of ritualistic actions are followed: the youth undresses, sets and lights the fire, and then sits either watching the flame or watching his audience until the fire goes out.
Holy hell
There’s a piercing clarity of vision to the trinity: a sort of father, son and holy ghost for our age of military surveillance and air strikes. As with depictions of the crucifixion, here we have death and beauty hand in hand with one another.
The crystal world
Typically for the British sculptor, there’s a dance going on between the seemingly invincible and the mortal and pliable, where loveliness tips into decay. He is best known for dumping 75,000 litres of copper sulphate into a condemned council flat in Elephant & Castle, creating a glittering blue crystal grotto that would slowly lose its shine.
Eternal flame
While the boy’s skin is in precarious contrast with the metallic engine, its pipes, cylinders and motors unavoidably call to mind the vulnerable human organs that pulse and flutter beneath his exposed flesh.
