Sisyphus

In Greek mythology Sisyphus, King of Corinth, is a trickster who attempted to defy death and was condemned by Hades to roll a boulder uphill, only for it to tumble down each time he neared the top, an arduous act which repeated for eternity.

In 'Sisyphus', 2021, Francis Upritchard fully explores the material of balata rubber, a Brazilian form of natural ‘wild’ tree rubber that is extracted like a gum using traditional techniques which maintain the healthy life of the tree. Here the balata is worked intuitively to mould Sisyphus’s expressive form: limbs stretched and distorted, his gnarled body buckles under the weight of the ball, pathetic to the task.

First made in Christchurch post-covid and post-earthquake, Upritchard draws on this mythological figure to create an analogy for humanity’s struggle. Begun during her residency at Sutton House, located in Christchurch’s red zone, 'Sisyphus' comes from a period in which Upritchard created works with potters, weavers, jewellers, dressmakers and others. A symbol of the pathos of isolation, Sisyphus’s solitary struggle and wasted efforts is a reminder of the value and importance of collaboration, a long-standing interest for the artist.

– Natasha Conland, Senior Curator, Global Contemporary Art, 2023

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