DIAMOND TOMB
What do we leave behind?
Diamond Tomb, 2010-2011
Rock crystal and marble
Unique work
H40 x W132 x D54cm
© Mark Humphrey
COLLABORATORS
Jumeirah
Osborne Samuel gallery
Pietrasanta Cultural Institute
LOCATION
Park Lane, Mayfair, London, UK
“DIAMOND TOMB TRANSFORMS A BENCH INTO SOMETHING THAT SITS BETWEEN FURNITURE, SCULPTURE AND A TOMB. HAND-CARVED FROM ROCK CRYSTAL AND MARBLE, ITS FACETED FORM RECALLS A GIANT ILLUMINATED DIAMOND. SOMETHING DESIGNED TO BE SAT UPON BECOMES AN OBJECT ASSOCIATED WITH WEALTH AND MORTALITY.
THE WORK BRINGS TOGETHER THE VALUE WE PLACE ON RICHES WITH THE VALUE WE PLACE ON HUMAN LIFE. IN LIFE, THE BENCH OFFERS A PLACE TO SIT; IN DEATH, ITS FORM SUGGESTS A TOMB OR CASKET – A PLACE TO LIE WITHIN. THE TRANSFORMATION RAISES A SIMPLE CONTRADICTION: WE CAN ACCUMULATE WEALTH THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES, BUT WHAT MEANING DOES THAT WEALTH HAVE WHEN LIFE ITSELF COMES TO AN END?
THE DIAMOND HAS LONG BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH PERMANENCE, STATUS AND DESIRE. HERE, ITS BRILLIANCE IS HELD WITHIN A FORM CONNECTED TO DEATH, QUESTIONING WHETHER WEALTH IS SOMETHING TO POSSESS, SOMETHING TO PASS ON, OR SOMETHING TO USE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS. WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND MAY NOT BE MEASURED BY WHAT WE ACCUMULATE, BUT BY WHAT THAT WEALTH BECOMES AFTER WE ARE GONE.”
Mark Humphrey
