Takashi Murakami, Figure Miss Ko 2, 1999

The contrast between Murakami’s Miss Ko2 and the 19th century copy of Herkules Farnese is where the meaning is to be found in this chapel installation. On one side is a Japanese interpretation of the Western idea of Beauty - corrupt, plastic, fetishised and superficial. The masculine figure of Herkules represents another idea of beauty - that of strength and perfection. Both of these sculptures are flawed in their representation of beauty and the viewer is left to reflect on their own idea of beauty.