Steve McQueen
Broken Column, 2014Zimbabwe black granite, wood, Perspex
Zimbabwe black granite, wood, Perspex
In two parts
Column 1: 210 x 48 x 48 cm.
82 5/8 x 18 7/8 x 18 7/8 in.
Column 2: 50 x 10 x 10 cm.
19 3/4 x 4 x 4 in.
Column 1: 210 x 48 x 48 cm.
82 5/8 x 18 7/8 x 18 7/8 in.
Column 2: 50 x 10 x 10 cm.
19 3/4 x 4 x 4 in.
edition of 2 + 1AP
Broken Column marks a venture into materiality for Steve McQueen, who is known for his film and video work. The imposing pillar is carved from black Zimbabwean granite. The shape echoes Victorian funeral memorials, referencing the tradition of obliquely truncating a tree in tribute to a young man’s untimely death. McQueen considers the work to be a monument to premature and avoidable deaths in predominantly marginalised Black Communities worldwide.