Eternally Yours, 2016
Molong marble, spray lacquer
97 x 70 x 67 cm
The Wynne Prize is awarded annually for 'the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by Australian artists’. This open competition is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW. Finalists are displayed in an exhibition at the Gallery from 16 July - 9 October 2016.
The words on this work were penned by my terminally ill friend Elizabeth Caplice, battling cancer at the age of 32. Liz was to spray the text in person, but took a turn for the worse that confined her to bed. Defacing this traditional 'vanitas' is an act of defiance and a tribute to her eloquence and courage.
Elizabeth died at 1.35am on 12 July 2016. She had per parents and closest friends at her side.