Kyle Montgomery

Kyle Montgomery is best known for his Crystal Mary sculptures. Montgomery’s work is an intentional collision of two beliefs in physical form, combining religion and spirituality to create the ultimate icon. These sculptural works delve into ideas of re-birth and the after- life, principals and messages he portrayed in earlier collage work before transforming them into the three-dimensional.

"Sydney artist Kyle Montgomery's infatuation with the afterlife is intriguing to say the least. He finds himself exploring symbolic items from both religious and spiritual realms then comparing their relevance to one another through various sculptural forms. He relentlessly trawls online trading posts and auction sites for second hand 'Mary' statues - a commonly used icon for the christian faith, seen to offer guidance and support on the path to life after death. At the same time, his interest in crystals and the knowledge and power they are said to contain, symbolise relevance to those on a more spiritual front.
Montgomery also explores the idea of afterlife in animal form. His taxidermy, often sourced as broken or damaged pieces, are carefully repaired with crystals - a symbolic gesture for animal returning to the earth. Taking with it, the knowledge from one life form to the next." - mildmanners.com