Henry Orlik b. 1947
With artist's stamp verso
Framed: H. 61 cm. x W. 51.5 cm., H. 24 in. x W. 20¼ in.
Further images
In this extraordinary image, suggestive of so many things, we can only grasp at what Orlik is representing. He depicts a seemingly simple image of disperate elements which intertwine, merge and suggest. A plump, rounded heart (which is also stylised peach-shaped buttocks) is wrapped around, clinging onto or shinning up a central upright stick – a backbone perhaps with a hollowed centre, with bone marrow inside. The stick (bamboo cane) could be a vein or aorta. Lobster claws become the arms and hands of the heart which are folded like angel wings behind the stick. Beneath, two ‘legs’ dangle which look like rabbits ears and beneath the heart a grey wisp of strands of smooth hair float out of the bottom of the heart – like a Chinese philospher’s beard. The heart balances precariously, clinging for dear life, like an acrobat balancing.