Week 1: Mary Curtis

Explore the relationship between function and decoration in the works of Mary Curtis, with relation to her process and the presentation in the exhibition 'Metadecorative'.

Mary Curtis has quoted about past works that "This [new body of] work challenges the way we relate to objects of utility by changing them into objects of decoration." Mary Curtis, 2004. This comment also holds true for her exhibition, Metadecorative, which is currently on display at Objectspace.

Mary Curtis utilises objects with existing functions to explore the relationship between functional and decorative elements, and jewellery as an object for display as an artwork. Earlier works by Curtis have featured such materials as steel nuts and a used wire cage from a champagne bottle. She is interested in the transition between utility and decoration. When does an everyday object become a decoration? Perhaps this is merely in the perception. This is corroborated with her comment "To look at a thing is different to seeing a thing." This highlights the difference between looking at an object at its face value, such as a wire cage to ensure the containment of the champagne, and seeing it for what else it could be, such as a pendant. What is the real difference between this item and a pendant specifically designed for display? When does one become the other?

Pendant, sterling silver, mild steel nut, cord (2004)

The works features in Metadecorative seem to take these questions even further. Curtis has pushed forward her ideas by using materials which are traditionally decorative for their own purpose and transformed them into jewellery. Wallpaper is heavily featured in her works, usually a decoration for the wall, but now for the body and display as part of an artwork. Curtis has removed the original everyday decorative function and created a different decorative function. She has achieved this by merely altering the context of the material. The fragility of the material used in her process emphasises this transition in function. It would force the wearer to take greater care to maintain its original condition. She considers the idea of adorning ourselves whilst simultaneously impairing our everyday actions, and taking this to the extreme in the materials used.

Black Brooch With Green Oval (2008-2010)

Pink And Orange Necklace (2008-2010)

Grant Thompson has commented that this theme is related to the chosen title of the exhibition - Metadecorative. He states that it "points to her work as decoration about decoration, as decoration that investigates the intricacies of decoration's histories, languages and forms to produce new forms of decoration." 'Meta' is a prefix used in English to indicate a concept which is an abstraction from another concept, used to complete or add to the latter. Curtis is drawing on extensive research on decoration to push forward further concepts of exploring this theme. Her process draws on meticulous research, exploration & experience, reflecting strongly museum and gallery visits during her time in Europe. Constantly collecting materials, photographing her work table every day & keeping everything she makes ensures development and further abstraction of her decorative works, tying in neatly with the exhibition theme.

The presentation of Curtis's works highlights the relationship she draws between function & decoration. Traditionally, jewellery is displayed on stands as I have pictured, the front on display but the back concealed, as it would be against the body. Curtis reveals the work in its entirety, exposing and celebrating all angles as important elements of the work. She displays them in vitrines, providing each piece with its own space, highlighting its independent value as a work of art, also reflecting the roots of the inspiration for the creations - the history of decorative adornments. The jewellery pieces she displays in Metadecorative are presented as independent works of art, each in its own space, available for examination by the viewer from any angle. They are all round decorations for display purpose within the context of an artwork, not created merely to be work on the body. The boundaries of the traditional decorative function of jewellery are blurred in this way. Displaying the objects at eye level enabled me to scrutinize them closely and added to the sense of preciousness and value, despite the use of non precious materials in monetary value.

Considering the work of Helen Britton, a strong influence on Curtis, gives us an insight into her process of collecting materials & how this is connected to her themes of function & decoration. Britton has commented, of her own work, that "My practice is accumulative, experimental and heterogeneous, faithful to my life experience. It is also a conscious dialogue with matter, form and ideas." There are obvious similarities here with Curtis' process in the themes of collection, transformation and abstraction from original purpose of an object. There are visual similarities within the work of both artists in that they both respect the jewellery they create as aesthetic from all angles. The artists share an appreciation of a subdued colour palette and the concept of many objects working together to 'bounce off' each other and create a new dynamics, creating different compositions of decoration. This broach by Britton successfully exemplifies this & demonstrates a strong influence on the work of Curtis in Metadecorative.

Green structure, 2006, Helen Britton. Brooch, silver, paint, glass.