Daniel Arsham has a particular interest in the passage of time and archaeology, describing his sculptures as ‘future relics’. His work is shaped by his childhood experience of surviving a hurricane that destroyed his family home and everything around it. 

Unearthed Bronze Eroded Melpomene was made using the original mould of a 3.9-metre-tall classical female figure, which was carved around 50 BCE and is now displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Discovered in the 15th century, the figure has been known for centuries as Melpomene, the Greek muse of tragedy. 

In Arsham's reimagining, the head appears as though the rest of the body still lies underground, emerging and waiting to be discovered, or it could be seen as a fragment of a lost sculpture.

The sculptureis made from bronze and patinated using a green colour associated with classical sculpture. Where the sculpture is partially decayed, Arsham has added crystal shapes cast in stainless steel. These shards of metal reflect the light, drawing attention to the dark areas of ruin and fragmentation. The silver geometric shapes contrast with the waves of Melpomene’s hair and the peaceful expression on her face. The crystal forms allude to growth, progression and the persistence of time.

Discover more about Daniel Arsham's 2022 Relics in the Landscape exhibition.

Courtesy of a private lender.