STABBED IN THE BACK

How often does this happen?

Stabbed In The Back, 1999 & 2026
Stainless steel, glass, wood and leather 
Unique work (set of 10)
Various dimensions
© Mark Humphrey

“STABBED IN THE BACK TAKES THE FAMILIAR IDIOM AND BRINGS IT INTO THE WORLD OF TABLEWARE. A COLLECTION OF CUBIST FORMS, MADE FROM MIRRORED CHROME AND 4,000-YEAR-OLD OAK, STACKS AND INTERLOCKS LIKE SOMETHING CONSTRUCTED BLOCK BY BLOCK OVER TIME – A COUNTRY, A COMPANY, A SCHOOL OR A FAMILY. THE ANCIENT WOOD CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF TIME ITSELF, WHILE THE MIRRORED SURFACES REFLECT THE PEOPLE AROUND US, REMINDING US TO LOOK BEHIND AS WELL AS AHEAD.

THE CUTLERY SITS WITHIN ITS HOLDER UNTIL ONE FORK BREAKS FREE AND TURNS AGAINST THE STRUCTURE, PIERCING THE SET OF NAPKIN RINGS AT ITS HIGHEST POINT. WHAT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY BUILT OVER TIME AND HELD TOGETHER CAN BE UNDONE FROM WITHIN. THE REFLECTIONS PLACE THE VIEWER INSIDE THAT RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST, AMBITION AND POWER, WHILE THE TABLE SETTING EXPLORES THE MOMENT WHEN LOYALTY TURNS.”

Mark Humphrey