Rachel Bungey
Her Bones, 2023
Poplar wood
52 x 23 x 8cm
'Her Bones' is a hybrid form combining the jaw of a whale with the arm of a mantis. With hugely contrasting lifespans - the whale living nearly a century and the mantis for barely one year - these animals contribute immeasurably to the ecosystems they inhabit, whilst human activity jeopardises their very existence. The viewer is confronted with a reflection of our own impact on the world and the need for greater responsibility to preserve it. As these two seemingly disparate species unite in a single form they represent the paradoxes that exist within life - the whale embodies strength and endurance while the mantis exudes grace and lightness, the whale journeys vast distances whilst the mantis flies only short distances. Representing fractions of the past and visions of a speculative future. The piece invites the viewer to ponder the ways in which we can learn from these fascinating creatures and in turn, preserve their place in the world, as well as ours.
'Her Bones' is a hybrid form combining the jaw of a whale with the arm of a mantis. With hugely contrasting lifespans - the whale living nearly a century and the mantis for barely one year - these animals contribute immeasurably to the ecosystems they inhabit, whilst human activity jeopardises their very existence. The viewer is confronted with a reflection of our own impact on the world and the need for greater responsibility to preserve it. As these two seemingly disparate species unite in a single form they represent the paradoxes that exist within life - the whale embodies strength and endurance while the mantis exudes grace and lightness, the whale journeys vast distances whilst the mantis flies only short distances. Representing fractions of the past and visions of a speculative future. The piece invites the viewer to ponder the ways in which we can learn from these fascinating creatures and in turn, preserve their place in the world, as well as ours.
