Roger Hiorns

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner in 1996

Colours: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the illustration fails to fully convey the depth of the original sculpture. Condition: This work is in very good condition. Upon very close inspection, there is light lifting along the edges of the paper bases and some very light wear to the extreme tips and edges of the card construction.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Roger Hiorns, who transformed a condemned south London flat by enshrouding it with iridescent copper sulphate crystals, was nominated for the 2009 Turner Prize. He is an artist of alchemy and the uncontrollable, using eclectic materials including detergent, disinfectant, perfume and other chemical solutions, to crystallize and transform the readymade, used as an explicit point of departure. In this work, Hiorns grew crystals on a cardboard architectural maquette, testing the object's status and significance. He explained that whilst he created sculptural objects, they were also extensions of psychological thought; a fear of losing control of one's personal structures. Here, there also exists an element of autonomy for the artwork; there is a point at which the artist must stand back and allow the chemical reactions to create their own aesthetic, enabling Hiorns to take an objective role in the process. It is the artist's intention to create a new phase for his selected objects, to de-identify and subsequently alter their inherent qualities, often achieving haunting and mesmerizing results.