ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE

Can tableware having meaning?

Interior Jewel Sculptures, 2008
Rock crystal, onyx and marble
Unique works
Various dimensions
© Mark Humphrey

COLLABORATOR
Italian Institute Culture London

LOCATION
Belgrave Square, Belgravia, London, UK

“INTERIOR JEWEL SCULPTURES IS A SOLO EXHIBITION OF TABLEWARE HAND-CARVED IN PIETRASANTA, ITALY, FROM ROCK CRYSTAL, ONYX AND MARBLE SOURCED FROM THE CARRARA HILLS. FAMILIAR VESSELS ARE TRANSFORMED INTO SCULPTURAL OBJECTS, BRINGING TOGETHER THE WORLDS OF FUNCTION, ART AND QUALITY.

EACH PIECE HAS A DUAL PURPOSE. DESIGNED TO BE USED AS TABLE ACCESSORIES, THE OBJECTS CAN ALSO BE DISPLAYED AS WORKS OF ART. WHEN THEY ARE NOT SERVING A PRACTICAL FUNCTION, THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE HIDDEN AWAY IN CUPBOARDS – THEY CAN BE DISPLAYED ON PLINTHS AS TREASURED OBJECTS WITHIN THE INTERIOR.

THE WORK EXPLORES THE DUALITY OF HUMAN NATURE AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH POSSESSIONS. WE ACQUIRE BEAUTIFUL THINGS TO USE, BUT ALSO TO OWN, COLLECT, DISPLAY AND PASS ON. A VESSEL CAN HOLD FOOD, YET IT CAN ALSO HOLD MEANING – BECOMING SOMETHING WE VALUE BEYOND ITS UTILITARIAN PERFORMANCE.

THE PRECIOUS STONES ARE TRANSFORMED FROM GEOLOGICAL TREASURES INTO OBJECTS WE BRING INTO OUR LIVES. THEY BECOME TREASURES IN LIFE AND POSSESSIONS IN DEATH – OBJECTS THAT CAN OUTLIVE THEIR OWNERS AND CARRY VALUE, MEMORY AND MEANING BEYOND A SINGLE LIFETIME.”

Mark Humphrey