Lazarus is the brother of sisters Mary Magdalene, whom Christ saved from being stoned to death under the conviction of adultery, and Martha. Christ was an endeared friend to Lazarus as with his siblings and so was called upon with the news of Lazarus’ sickness and then death. Though Lazarus had already been dead in his tomb for four days by the time Jesus arrived, Christ called him out of death, arising alive and whole as a sign to witnesses of God’s miraculous power working through his son and as a foreshadowing of his own redeeming death and resurrection for the salvation of his chosen people.

The piece’s mottled surface represents the decay of Lazarus’ body. The patches of smoothening surfaces capture his restorative transformation from decayed death to renewed life. The form appears to unwind and torque open and slightly forward, beckoned by the call from darkness to light.

Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

John 11:41-45

• production: Excalibur Sculpture Foundry
• photography: Joe Garrad