A freestanding sculpture Paradise Lost consists of nearly 200 kilograms of clay and polyester textile which were transformed through heating methods. During the process of baking clay, some pieces were accidentally blown up in a kiln. These unintentionally created shapes became a component of the work, echoing aspects of "auto-destructive and auto-creative art".

 

In relation to the surfaces of clay, the tube-like irregular bits bear marks of stretching, which are interspersed with the corporal formal qualities of textile, evoking the body associations. Balanced in an apparently precarious arrangement, a chaotically fragmented composition, from large-scale columns to almost dust substance, emphasises a dialectical state between being built and falling. The biblical story of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, where Adam's sin resulted in death being passed on to the whole human race, was an inspiration for the title Paradise Lost.

 

This sculpture invites to reflect on contemporary time rather than a legend of our past. It offers to think if this is the time when the fragile nature of the human body is surrounded by plastic and toxic materials. Moreover, whether this is the time when technological progress leads to climate breakdown and our earthly paradise is lost; or this is a new age of body modification, sexual enhancement, implantation, tissue engineering techniques and regenerative medicine. Paradise Lost is not simply calling to speculate about the destructive side but also about transformation and resurrection.

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Medium: Clay, polyester textile

Dimensions: 3000 x 1500 x 950 mm

Year: 2019 

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