Cleopatra's Jewel (1)

Cleopatra held the Ancient Library of Alexandria so close to her heart that those seeking her favour would buy her manuscrips from around the world. Here she holds the book of past and future history in her hand. Both sides are blank… both sides constantly re-written.

Inside her dress images on the left represent fragments of history. Relics of great civilizations from around the world - (including Egypt, Mexico, China, India). The pieces are tiny considering these civilizations lasted thousand of years. From these small tokens of evidence we are left with no option but to invent the past. the story that best fits the changing evidence.

Images on the right side of her dress represent an overload of information on the world today. People crowd for attention… information everywhere - radio, television, the internet. So much information it’s impossible to retain everything. So… our impression of life now has to be invented… on the basis of what information we select. Only fragments can be retained.

Acrylic and collage on wood

© Nadia Warner - this picture may not be used in any way whatsoever without her permission.