IN THE BIN

How can abundance become waste while others go hungry?

In The Bin, 2006 & 2026
Marble, glass, stainless steel, plastic bag, fruits and vegetables
Unique work
H84 x Dia170cm
© Mark Humphrey

“IN THE BIN CONFRONTS THE BRUTAL CONTRADICTION BETWEEN ABUNDANCE AND DEPRIVATION. INSPIRED BY THE DUTCH OLD MASTERS, THE DINING TABLE PRESENTS AN ABUNDANCE OF FINE AND EXOTIC FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, ONCE SYMBOLS OF WEALTH, STATUS AND EXCESS. THROUGH THE TRANSPARENT GLASS, THE ABUNDANCE ABOVE REMAINS VISIBLE AS IT BECOMES WASTE BELOW.

THE DISCARDED FOOD FALLS INTO A BIN MADE FROM MARBLE – AN ULTRA-LUXURY MATERIAL TRANSFORMED INTO A RECEPTACLE FOR WASTE. WHAT WAS ONCE CELEBRATED AS WEALTH BECOMES EXCESS, THEN RUBBISH, WHILE ELSEWHERE PEOPLE GO WITHOUT.”

Mark Humphrey