Conroy Maddox

The Cloak of Secrecy

previous next

About this artwork

This sculpture was conceived by Maddox in 1940 after he spotted a mannequin which was about to be thrown out of a shop. He took it home and added various found objects - a plastic lobster, a painted bottle, netting and other elements - to transform it into the 'Cloak of Secrecy'. Maddox feels that his surrealist objects, such as this piece, discredit the world of reality as we perceive it. He has remarked that this piece 'took on the absurd quality of a dream with its lack of apparent reasonableness.'

Updated before 2020

see media
  • artist:
    Conroy Maddox (1912 - 2005) English
  • title:
    The Cloak of Secrecy
  • date created:
    1940
  • materials:
    Mixed media, including mannequin parts, plastic lobster, painted bottle, netting, sequins, doll's head and wire.
  • measurements:
    173.00 x 38.00 x 38.00 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased with a contribution from The Elephant Trust 1999
  • accession number:
    GMA 4283
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Conroy Maddox

Conroy Maddox