HEAD ABOVE WATER

Are we drowning?

Head Above Water, 2025
Oil paint, acrylic, carbon fibre, aluminium, glass and red water
Unique work
H38 x W151 x D50cm
© Mark Humphrey

“HEAD ABOVE WATER PLACES A FIGURE BETWEEN SURVIVAL AND SURRENDER. A SPINE CONSTRUCTED FROM BUILDING BLOCKS RISES ABOVE A RED TIDE, SUGGESTING THE STRENGTH TO REBUILD AND KEEP GOING, WHILE THE BLACK OUTLINE OF THE BODY MERGES WITH THE WATER BELOW.

RED LIQUID IN A GLASS CASKET BECOMES BOTH LIFELINE AND THREAT – BLOOD THAT SUSTAINS US, YET A FORCE THAT CAN DAMAGE US. WITH ONLY THE MOUTH REMAINING ABOVE THE SURFACE, THE WORK HOLDS A MOMENT BETWEEN DROWNING AND STAYING AFLOAT.”

Mark Humphrey