Eternity (a.k.a. Nefertiti)

Year: 2022
Materials: natural beeswax, wood, museum glass, Cor-ten steel
Dimensions:
24 x 36 x 50 cm (head)
72 x 72 x 180 cm (complete sculpture including cabinet)
Edition: Unique
Photo: Studio Libertiny

Fighting depression and anxiety was always an on ongoing personal battle. Being vulnarable and seeing it a strength and not weakness became the main subject in his art since 2005 and the work with honeybees. The honeycomb sculptures are by their definition extremely fragile artworks, yet beeswax is also one the most durable natural materials and will last thousands of years. The artist returned to the theme of Nefertiti two years after the first version. The experiment included introduction of a natural red pigment (such as found in pre-historic cave paintings) in a beehive for the 60.000 bees to build and naturally integrate the red pigment into the sculpture. The allusion to earth, flesh or blood of the crown is palpable. The bust is based on the 3D model of the original portrait of the Egyptian queen (crafted in 1345 B.C. now on permanent display at The Neues Museum in Berlin). It is a nod to the strength and timelessness of the "mother nature" as well as its ancient character as a powerful female reigning against the odds. The queen Neferiti and her husband pharao Akhenaten were famous for abandoning the polytheism of ancient Egypt and introducing Aten, the sun god, though unsuccessfully. Eternity is a testament to the duality of life and nature, fragile yet strong.