Golden Boy

Date: 2023
Materials: Carving in Jelutong, sand, paint, steel rod, metal hook, abacus
Dimensions: 1450 x 360 x 280 

From the Crossing the Rubicon series
​
Waiheke Art Gallery 2023
Sanderson Contemporary 2024

"Golden Boy" emerged from my "Crossing the Rubicon" series of figurative works, inspired by a series of torrential floods at the start of the year, including those during the early stages of my residency at Waiheke. These natural events provoked deep reflection on the consequences of rising sea levels for coastal communities and Pacific islands. Contemplating the uncertain future, I envisioned a procession led by children who would be compelled to guide us through the impending, murky waters facing humanity. These figures embody a mythic and narrative perspective on our epoch of transition.

Before my residency, I had been crafting abaci as counting frames for this transient era, and these figures echo that sentiment. They convey a profound sense of our current era as one of change, introspection, and a necessary reckoning. I view these figures as ethereal manifestations drawn from our collective unconscious, vividly illustrating this pivotal moment in history.