Make a wish! (green)
(2023)
- Medium
- synthetic polymer paint, latex, foam, burlap, muslin, rope, steel
- Measurements
- 39.5 × 128.5 × 111.2 cm
- Place/s of Execution
- Melbourne, Victoria
- Accession Number
- 2023.734
- Department
- Contemporary Art
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, Victorian Foundation for Living Australian Artists, 2023
© Joshua Petherick and Lewis Fidock - Gallery location
- Not on display
- About this work
-
Illustrating the cyclical nature of life, these oversized leaves exhibit signs of ruin and decay. Their lifeless texture and detachment from soil and water evoke an unnatural representation of nature’s vital energy source. This juxtaposition prompts us to reflect on the ephemerality of matter and the inevitability of transformation over time. The natural decay of leaves plays a crucial role in the regeneration of life. As leaves decompose, they release carbon and enrich the soil’s structure and water-holding capacity. This process of decay ultimately nourishes trees and plants, supporting their future growth and vitality. In turn this supports insect and animal life, including that of humans. The work suggests that in nature there are no true endings.