Caged

What lies at our core? Beneath the surface layers, the ribcage and spine are the silent sentinels of who we are, shaping and sheltering us. Cage captures this idea as both the physical and metaphorical foundations of identity. The ribcage is a duality: strong yet fragile; it holds and confines, like a protective shell for something vulnerable. The colours evoke this contrast too—while many of my works use blue, embodying peace, the blood-red hints at the raw, intense emotions beneath our calm surfaces.

I crafted the sculpture with clay and plastic layered over aluminium wire and tinfoil, materials allowing me to shape each rib with detail. I coated the ribs in a translucent, blood-red slime made from PVA glue, providing an almost ethereal, floating effect. It bleeds outward with a quiet intensity, while hints of blue add a touch of serenity and balance. Cage carries a quiet weight, inviting viewers to explore the balance of strength and vulnerability within our shared human experience.