Insurrection, 1997

Cast sand, wooden pattern. Dimensions 6'x 4'. From an exhibition titled "Reject" at the KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa.

This series comprises a collection of sculptures that monumentalize the hardware commonly utilized by law enforcement officers. Intriguingly, these sculptures are not constructed from traditional, durable materials; instead, they are fabricated using sand, thereby imbuing the work with historical and temporal significance layers. The choice of material is particularly noteworthy, as it was selected with the explicit intention of disintegration over time.

As the sand undergoes a process of hardening, it paradoxically becomes increasingly vulnerable to degradation, initiating a gradual process of crumbling and decay. This material transformation is a poignant metaphor for the impermanence and fragility of power structures, as represented by the law enforcement hardware. In their eventual disintegration, the sculptures raise compelling questions about the transient nature of authority, the ephemerality of control, and the inevitable decay of sociopolitical constructs. Moreover, using sand adds a layer of complexity to the work, inviting viewers to consider the historical dimensions of law enforcement and authority. It prompts an interrogation of how contemporary practices are rooted in, and perhaps perpetuate, ancient systems of control and domination.

In summary, this series of sculptures serves as a multifaceted artistic inquiry into the nature of law enforcement, authority, and the passage of time. The work engages with complex themes that resonate on both historical and contemporary levels through the deliberate choice of material and the process of natural decay. It offers a nuanced commentary on power's cyclical and transient nature, inviting viewers to engage in a deeper, more critical examination of the structures that govern our lives.