Rock Drill 1915

"Rock Drill" (1915) by Jacob Epstein is a monumental white plaster sculpture that stands 141.5 x 205 cm. This striking piece, currently housed in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, depicts a skeletal figure seemingly operating a rock drill, representing the dehumanizing impact of industrial machinery. Epstein, known for his bold and often controversial sculptures, created this piece in the midst of the First World War, reflecting the anxieties of a world rapidly changing due to technological advancements. The sculpture's stark and angular forms are a testament to Epstein's interest in cubist and futurist aesthetics. Its unsettling and powerful imagery serves as a commentary on the growing role of machines in society and the potential for their destructive force.