Station 11

The Lament of the Labellum (detail), copper and silver on canvas with entomology pins, 320mm x 520mm x 50 mm each (3 panels). Image courtesy of the artist.

The Labellum is the medial orchid petal - its soul purpose is to attract a pollinator. The labellum (also known as the lips) is the landing pad for fertilisation; it is a point of attraction, connection and the continuation of life.

In The Lament of the Labellum I have removed the labellum from the common Singapore orchid – collected at the front of the checkout at the local supermarket. Each one is burnt out once encased in plaster and poured under vacuum with molten copper. Rapidly quenched the copper produces the enticing crimson red tones and the silver turns a soft white. The combination of both silver and copper known as shibu-ishi produces earthly shades of pink. Both metals in their oxidized state go brown to black. These cast forms are then worked, drilled and pinned into the canvas with entomology pins.

By pulling away the individual labellum I am in affect pulling away the potential of each new flower, sacrificing its potential for life yet at the same time immortalizing it as an enduring symbol of flesh.