The Honeycomb Amphora III

Year: 2020
Materials: natural beeswax, wood, museum glass, re-used beehives
Dimensions: 47 x 42 x 147 cm
Collection: Private Collection Belgium
Photo: Studio Libertiny

The ancient greeks used amphorae for various purposes besides plain storage of beverages or food. In specific cases they were used for libations, celebration and other social functions. This completely “made by bees” artwork is based on the famous Nolan amphora type from @metmuseum. These featured almost exclusively red-figure ornamentation (warriors, gods, myths and rituals). The column is made of re-claimed and refurbished weathered wooden beehives which are interlocking in various angles. The totem serves both a pedestal as well as an imaginary altar. The beeswax artifact could be seen as a relic. Relic derives from the Latin reliquiae, meaning "remains", and a form of the Latin verb relinquere, to "leave behind, or abandon”. In their succumbing to fate and destiny through work, the bees are saint.