At the Gallery: Tom Burrows’ Organ Transplant

Last month saw the installation of a new piece of sculpture in front of the Library & Gallery at Queen's Square. 

The sculpture, entitled Organ Transplant (1987), is the work of Cambridge native Tom Burrows. The piece was exhibited at The Library & Gallery this past Spring in the exhibition Dialectical Totems, a survey of the artist's work over the past decade, and its recent outdoor installation is part of the Gallery's ongoing program of temporary outdoor sculptural installations at the Central Branch and at various sites in the city.

 

Organ Transplant measures 180 cm. x 120 cm. x 90 cm. It is constructed of welded steel rebar with lead cast lettering affixed to a circumferential band. What the inquiring viewer might not initially see, the title of the piece certainly gives away. The bent and curving system of steel bars defines the contours of a human heart, represented by the 4 aortae and 2 ventricles. The steel band which orbits the heart on an angle reads continuously MANS LAUGHTER MAN SLAUGHTER.

 

The artist's intention in creating the piece originally was simply to weld an image of the human heart in steel, following basic medical diagrams. The circulating textual band, which Burrows calls a type of self-inflicted graffiti, was added on reflection afterwards.

 

The piece is undoubtedly affected by its placement. In the Gallery, the contours and overall image are clearly defined against the white walls and beige carpeting. Outdoors, its transparent, skeletal structure often blends in with the surroundings. One of the most salient aspects of the work's outdoor installation is the contrast of the material to the surrounding environment. The untreated rebar has a uniform surface rust which stands in stark contrast to the painted steel, glass and brick facade of The Library & Gallery. Also, the effect of rain on the work has caused rust spots to appear on the pavement base, to which some people have half-jokingly referred as “dripping blood.”

 

The artist's use of materials and perhaps the apparent insubstantial quality of the “see-through” heart has provoked a strong, negative response among many library patrons and indeed, Burrows rusty old heart appears somewhat frail and forlorn on the patio at times, looking not at all like the heart of a champion or fear-less leader.

 

People have become accustomed to the aesthetic value of old materials, as we know from the use of old farm implements as lawn ornaments or the use of old barn board in interiors. But a rusted heart? Ideally it should be strong and stainless and maybe a bit less transparent. In reality, we know this not to be so. The heart of a human being is subject to the elements, even as a piece of sculpture is. It grows weary with age. It can't hide its hurts and disappointments. It more often than not contains equal measures of laughter and rage, sweetness and sorrow. 

 

In Organ Transplant, Tom Burrows has fashioned not a valentine, but a heartfelt representation of the human soul. And in installing it in Cambridge he has left a piece of himself behind.