Searching for the golden egg


Searching for the golden egg
2001, Paper and Ink

Searching for the golden egg is made from a single, flat piece of paper, which seemingly hovers in mid air. Six metres in length and over two metres high, it curls around itself - the flat object becomes three dimensional. Light bounces off the work, casting shadows that give the piece a presence beyond its physical existence. Images of discarded rubbish and construction rubble are intricately carved into the paper, illustrating an environment developing at breakneck speed. In the middle of this constantly shifting landscape stands a lone figure, searching the debris, foraging for things worth saving.

Searching for the golden egg
2001, Paper and Ink (detail)
This work was produced after a three month residency in Beijing, funded through the Deacons Award 2000. The narrative is a response to the common sight of gleaners picking through rubbish, the speed of demolition and re-construction, and the displacement of people in order to fulfil these changes.