Modern relic IV: All in this together, apart
(2021)
Medium
glass (sandblasted, engraved)
Measurements
41.6 × 22.8 cm diameter
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation For Living Artists, 2021
© Jessica Murtagh
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
Jessica Murtagh’s glass vessels draw inspiration from ancient Athenian ceramic amphoras known for their depiction of scenes from everyday life. Her 2021 works highlight human experience within the broader context of the social and economic upheaval caused by COVID-19. Modern relic IX: High priorities in low places captures individuals queuing anxiously at supermarkets, driven by an urgent need to secure supplies, particularly toilet paper. In parallel, Modern relic IV: All in this together, apart portrays individuals wearing face masks while queuing at Centrelink, evoking contemplation of the human consequences of the pandemic in Australia, specifically immediate mass unemployment and a reliance on social benefits.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Canberra, ACT
Edition
unique
Inscription
painted (diagonally) (inverted) in white on base l.r.: J. Murtagh
Accession Number
2021.583
Department
Contemporary Design and Architecture