tomáš libertíny works with bees to create 'memento vivere' beeswax skull sculpture series

Memento Vivere by Tomáš Libertíny

From encasing a sculpture of Marsyas in natural beeswax to making a complete bust of Nefertiti, Tomáš Libertíny is known for creating intricate honeycomb sculptures that reference mythology and history. For his latest work, the Rotterdam-based artist drew inspiration from the New Testament to create a collection of human skull-like sculptures that explore the theme of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘life of service’ in the context of love. Three different bee colonies worked throughout the spring season to create the sculptures, which were filled with fresh nectar from the surrounding flora of an old cemetery.

the ‘John the Baptist’ sculpture | all images courtesy of Tomáš Libertíny

John the Baptist

The first work in the collection ‘Memento Vivere’ by Tomáš Libertíny is titled ‘John the Baptist’ and is influenced by Caravaggio’s famous painting ‘Salome with the Head of John the Baptist’. The result is a human skull-like piece ‘made by bees’, resting on a gold serving tray attached to the wall. The tray functions as both trophy and icon, as the honeycomb-shaped head appears to be growing out of the dish, as if it were trying to come back to life. If left to their natural instinct, the bees would add more and more substance to the face until it is fully human, symbolizing resurrection and hope.

To enhance the spiritual dimension of the story, the Slovakia-born artist added a red pigment to the hive while the bees were building the head. Although bees are actually colorblind and cannot see red, the pigment was incorporated throughout the beeswax structure, adding to the mystique. The result is a stunning visual representation of the inversion of nature, as the skull transforms from an inanimate object into a symbol of new life.

to enhance the spiritual dimension of the story, Libertiny added a red pigment to the hive while the bees were building the head

Feed Your Head and Pain Au Amour

Libertiny’s collection also features ‘Feed Your Head’, named after the iconic song ‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson Airplane. Drawing inspiration from the lyrics, which revolve around the theme of Alice in Wonderland, with references to drugs and encouragements to follow one’s curiosity, Libertiny adds another dimension to the ideas of a ‘life of service’ and ‘love’. This sculpture appears as a bright yellow human skull on a reflective tray that can be mounted on a wall.

The third piece of the ‘Memento Vivere’ series is ‘Pain Au Amour’, which is inspired by the famous petition from the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ The artist interprets this as meaning that Love is our daily bread. The pink-colored head appears to be growing out of an antique bread shovel, and the title is a play on the famous French pastry ‘pain au chocolate’ and the French word ‘pain,’ which means ‘bread’ in English.

if left to their natural instinct, the bees would add more and more substance to the face, symbolizing resurrection and hope