For over 20 years, the Mexican artist Teresa Margolles has created ephemeral installations dealing with the ways in which violence and death have defined the character of contemporary Mexican society. Conceptually her work is in keeping with traditional Mexican rituals going back to Pre-Columbian times, but which has continued to inform artistic practice in the 20th century and today. Escombro (Debris) was actually conceived of and executed in China after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which the artist witnessed firsthand. Comprised of found wood from a house destroyed by the earthquake and 18-carat gold, the work demonstrates her ability to poetically commemorate a tragic event through subtle yet highly charged means.

Source: News, July Aug Sept 2013.