Artworks2006Ariadne
Ariadne
Painted bronze
1260 x 2460 x 1260 mm
Ariadne (2006–2014) is a bronze sculpture painted to look like a crudely carved polystyrene approximation
of the Greek Goddess. The Italian metaphysical painter De Chirico used this reclining symbol as an archetype
of classicism in a series of surreal landscapes. By appearing to render her in this pernicious 20th century material, the artist makes a punkish throw-up in the consecrated gallery. In a nod to Tony Hancock’s ‘The Rebel’, he questions value and the history of western traditions through the degenerated male gaze.