ar–chive studio x Soft Stir

Issue 03: Stories of Collision
Published in May, 2024

Jewel of Thought | Stories of Collision

Jewel of Thought | Stories of Collision

What is precious and what is not? In Jewel of Thought, concrete, acrylic, aluminum, rock, marble and glass suspend in lyrical balance with each other. Curves intersect with sharp edges, light pierces glass and coloured acrylic, malleable materials bend around dense, solid structures. On their own, these elements might be overlooked. But together, a poetic dance forms to defy expectation – reminding us to appreciate beauty in the mundane.

Jewel of Thought is our sequel to 2019’s Compositions of the Equinox, where we first blended natural and man-made material as sculptural form. This second iteration brought our creative processes together, where unspoken conversations were found through improvisation. Much like the ethos of jazz, our hands moved freely, combining materials together in unexpected ways. This process of experimentation and curiosity generated  intriguing shapes, negative space and unconventional forms. The glimmer of aluminum rods bent to converge with the subtle undulating patterns of marble’s white and gray. Textured glass seems to emerge from marble bases like sandbars out of an ebbing tide. Wires hold delicate floral stems while ropes constrict against cold rock and steel. All of these elements hold tension – between the natural and fabricated, fluid and static, ephemeral and eternal – yet coalesce in harmonious composition. 

Meanwhile, the process of collecting materials presented an opportunity to intersect with time and place. Most of the materials were found objects –  recycled, reframed, reimagined – demanding that we consider how things could be given new life.

Each arrangement gives space for either incense to burn or flowers to stand, providing a fixed stage for contemplating the temporal. In these images, transient shadows dance – made possible through an interplay with light. Perhaps these sculptures serve as a bridge between two juxtaposed realms: the tangible and intangible, the impermanent and everlasting, the conscious and subconscious, and ultimately, the interconnectedness of all things. 

 


Grab your copy of Issue 03: Stories of Collision via Soft Stir.

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Text by ar–chive studio

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Creative Direction: Rowland Reyes Martinez (ar–chive studio)
Art Direction and Styling: Angela Tam (ar–chive studio)
Photography: Camilo Bustamante
Photography Assistant: Anna Kim
Produced and Published: Soft Stir
Special thanks to Studio Loo Loo

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Past Exhibitions

  1. Read more: WASEI
    WASEI

    WASEI

    May 16 - 19, 2024

    The Other Art Fair, White Bay Cruise Terminal Sydney

    Read more
  2. Read more: Unveiled
    A white walled gallery displaying two colourful artworks on its walls. People are gathered in the middle as they view the artworks.

    Unveiled

    February 17 - 25, 2024

    Gaffa Creative Precinct, Sydney CBD

    Read more
  3. Read more: Jewel of Thought
    Black and orange concrete sculpture and incense burner displayed on a black table within a gallery space. Sculpture created by ar-chive studio, as part of the 'Jewel of Thought' collection.

    Jewel of Thought

    October 6 - 16, 2022

    qurated, Tom Dunne Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney

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  4. Read more: This Is Not Goodbye
    Vibrant original artwork by wa sei displayed on a white gallery wall.

    This Is Not Goodbye

    June 16 - 27, 2022

    Gaffa Creative Precinct, Sydney CBD

    Read more