The Abyss of Liberty [2013]
Bronze
28 x 38 x 143 cm
Inspired by the renowned neoclassical sculptures of Auguste Bartholdi, the Statue of Liberty has been toppled over and subsequently takes on a new posture, planted upside down. This configuration creates a perplexing situation in its ability to maintain balance against gravity, seeming to free itself from the laws of physics. The sculpture’s inversion also exposes its inner vacuity, which can be seen from above, making visible that which is typically concealed in conventional sculpture. This toppled statue reflects the rampant hypocrisy in American politics and the threatening of freedoms that ensued in the aftermath of 9/11 and the subsequent adoption of the Patriot Act.