Today I will answer the question ‘Why are those bits made of diamonds?’ in the painting ‘Young & Free’. (The kangaroo claws, genitals, eyes and the boxing gloves)

The meaning behind the diamonds here continues on from my post ‘Why is the kangaroo made of gold?’

Diamonds are valued. They can represent ‘the most important’: a diamond engagement ring is given to the supposed ‘most important person’. Diamonds are used to emphasise something.

• The diamond eyes see and communicate. They are looking away from the audience - they are disengaged.

• The diamond claws are sharp - they could scratch and point - they are dangerous.

• The diamond genitals - well a male’s genitals are very important and highly valued to the male they are attached to (at least as observed from this female artist).

• The diamond boxing gloves are off the paws and draped around the kangaroo’s neck. The kangaroo can’t physically put these gloves on as they are solid diamond. Are they only there for decoration? Perhaps wearing unwearable gloves points to the absurdity of the whole painting - a large gold kangaroo with diamond parts that could not possibly be diamonds refracting light like that because of their shape and size.

I am using the diamonds as focal points for the audience and emphasis points within the meaning of the painting.