Notes

The present lot forms the two side panels of a triptych by Judith Mason. The artist decided to sell each panel separately and these two were bought by art collector Coba Deidricks. The work was inspired by a quote from Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor (161-180 CE) and Stoic philosopher. A portion of his quote reads

"… If you can cut free of impressions that cling to the mind, free of the future and the past – can make yourself, as Empedocles says, 'a sphere rejoicing in its perfect stillness,' and concentrate on living what can be lived (which means the present) … then you spend the time you have left in tranquillity. And in kindness. And at peace with the spirit within you."

One can see this sphere Empedocles speaks of in each of the panels in the present lot, where a small red/orange/purple orb is delicately held between the fingers and thumbs of disembodied, malformed hands.

Provenance

Leischen Heinz Gallery, Darling.

The Coba Diederiks Collection.

Exhibited

Chelsea on 34 Art Gallery, Darling, Judith Mason: My Muse, the hyeana gnaws at Empedokle's sphere, chews over the notion that God is a rumour and spits out other assorted morsels", 11 June to 9 July 2005.