empty honeycomb husks cast in bronze lost wax by kris martin

‘lost wax XII’, 2013 by kris martinbronze and ceramic8 1/2 x 15 3/4 x 1 7/16 in. (21.6 x 40 x 3.6 cm)image © kris martinphoto: ben westobycourtesy white cube

continuing his inquiry into the themes of chance, time and material metamorphosis, belgian artist kris martin has created a body of work that revisits the ancient technique of lost wax casting, on show at white cube mason’s yard until the 16th of march, 2013. having cast the emptied husks of real honey combs in bronze, martin lends a sense of permanence and durability to an otherwise ephemeral, fragile form. the series is a whimsical and almost playful reflection on the concept of transience, drawing attention to the sculpture’s transformative elements, as it shifts from nature into artifice.

‘lost wax IX’ bronze and ceramic8 7/16 x 15 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (21.5 x 39.7 x 3 cm)image © kris martinphoto: ben westobycourtesy white cube

‘lost wax XI’ bronze and ceramic8 7/16 x 15 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (21.5 x 39.7 x 3 cm)image © kris martinphoto: ben westobycourtesy white cube

‘lost wax XII’ detailbronze and ceramic8 7/16 x 15 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (21.5 x 39.7 x 3 cm)image © kris martinphoto: ben westobycourtesy white cube

‘lost wax XI’ detailbronze and ceramic8 7/16 x 15 5/8 x 1 3/16 in. (21.5 x 39.7 x 3 cm)image © kris martinphoto: ben westobycourtesy white cube