Atelier Van Lieshout

Bas

2021

Mixed media
110 x 150 x 225 cm

This figure brings to mind pictures of soldiers dying in trenches or concentration camp prisoners caught on barbed wire fences. In their dying moments they all mimic Saint Sebastian’s posture as depicted in Christian iconography since the 9th century. Atelier Van Lieshout’s version of the arrow-pierced martyr is not tied to a stake or a tree, but hung from a frame, like a puppet manipulated by rules of human design. However, the structure doesn’t consist of neat beams held together by uniform bolts and screws, but is rather intuitively thrown together. It’s a form of expressionist sculpture, signifying a value system out of whack.

Bas (2021) was part of the following exhibition(s):
EHBO, Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam (NL), 2021-2022
Fake Me Hard, AVL Mundo, Rotterdam (NL), 2021

For enquiries: please contact Atelier Van Lieshout via info@ateliervanlieshout.com