WASHING YOUR HANDS

Will you take responsibility? 

Washing Your Hands, 2000 & 2026
Chrome and mirror
Unique work
H360 x W220 x D30cm
© Mark Humphrey

“WASHING YOUR HANDS TRANSFORMS THE WATER DROPLET INTO A SCULPTURAL TAP, BRINGING TOGETHER AN ORNATE TRADITIONAL FRAME WITH A CONTEMPORARY CONFIGURATION. THE TAPS TAKE ON THE SHAPE OF A CROSS, INTRODUCING A BIBLICAL REFERENCE TO RESPONSIBILITY AND MORALITY.

THE WORK PLAYS ON THE FAMILIAR EXPRESSION ‘TO WASH YOUR HANDS OF IT’ – TO STOP BEING INVOLVED AND REFUSE TO ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY. WATER, NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CLEANSING, BECOMES A METAPHOR FOR WASHING AWAY OUR OBLIGATIONS.

THE WORK ASKS WHETHER WE HAVE BECOME TOO WILLING TO LET GO OF DUTIES, RATHER THAN ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ACTIONS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES. WE CAN WASH OUR HANDS. WE CANNOT WASH AWAY RESPONSIBILITY.”

Mark Humphrey