Original artwork description:

With this sculpture, I aimed to capture the profound impact that divergent ideologies and socioeconomic disparities can have within a society or community. The concept for Unrest took shape as I reflected on the turbulence of recent global events - events that have disrupted societal norms and exposed the fragility of the communities in which they occur. These moments of upheaval reveal how easily the cohesion of society can fracture when tensions are ignored, suppressed, or left unresolved in the pursuit of a façade of unity.

Society, at its core, is meant to function as a circular, reciprocal system, with its structures and authorities striving to maintain a seamless and harmonious flow. Yet this balance is delicate, and when fissures emerge between groups with conflicting values or inequitable access to resources, the circular structure begins to deform. Breakaway factions form, drifting from the societal core while still tenuously tethered to its gravitational pull. These groups often seek to redefine the system according to their own needs and ideals, challenging the status quo and further destabilising the whole.

Unrest depicts the rupture that occurs when these divisions become too deep to ignore. It reflects the damage inflicted when a society is torn apart by unaddressed differences in values, perspectives, or perceived status. The sculpture stands as a visual metaphor for the instability that arises when the pressures of inequality and ideological conflict go unresolved, creating fractures that ripple outward and threaten the collective identity of a community. Ultimately, Unrest serves as both a warning and a call for reflection—an exploration of the fragility of unity and the cost of overlooking the tensions simmering beneath the surface.

Materials used:

Sustainably sourced Sycamore Wood