SPINE OF OSIRIS, 1971
Merz collage. Dimensions unknown.
Provenance
Untraced.
Exhibited
Newlyn, Newlyn Art Gallery, 1971, No. 9.
Penzance, Newlyn Orion Gallery, 1976, No. 56.
One of the most recognisable symbols in ancient Egypt is the djed pillar. This is an amulet taking the form of a pillar surmounted by four crossbars. It represents Osiris’ backbone and its ceremonial function in ensuring the resurrection of a mummy is described in The Book of the Dead. It symbolises strength and stability.
In Egyptian mythology, Osiris was murdered by Set and his body thrown into the Nile. It was washed up at Byblus where a great tree grew around the body and enclosed it completely. The king of Byblus had the tree cut down and made it into a pillar to support his house. Isis later recovered the body from the tree. Egyptian kings annually performed a ceremony of ‘raising the djed pillar’ which not only served as a metaphor for the stability of the monarchy but also symbolised the resurrection of Osiris.
The Egyptian myths must have been prominent in Colquhoun’s mind in 1971. That year three works make direct reference to Egyptian mythology. They are: Eye of Horus, Serapis and Spine of Osiris.