With Supersonic Mediaeval, Tilda Swinton invites you into the world of Marianna Kennedy, deeply rooted in the iconic London neighborhood of Spitalfields. A place where Georgian heritage intertwines with hipster culture and a vibrant Bangladeshi community, Spitalfields embodies the unmistakable hybrid spirit that characterizes the British capital. Who better than Tilda Swinton and Marianna Kennedy to guide you on this poetic and cinematic journey through time, art and design, along the streets of London?
The works of Marianna Kennedy
Marianna Kennedy first created her carved and gilded mirrors in 2006, working from her Spitalfields studio and collaborating with craftsmen to draw inspiration from traditional gilding and carving techniques. These works reinterpreted the art of gilding and carving in a fresh and contemporary context.. The first significant exhibition of these works was held at the Galerie Chastel-Marechal in Paris in 2011. Previously, Marianna worked in her studio on custom commissions for various private collections around the world.
Marianna and Tilda met through a mutual friend and bonded over their shared passion for collaborating with artisans. This collaboration involves reinterpreting historic craft techniques, reinterpreting them for the modern world with new materials like resin and vibrant colors. The works—mirrors, bronzes, lacquers, and “Workshop” pieces, including lamps, plaster objects, and painted emblems—are made in small editions or are one-of-a-kind creations, often fitting into a specific space where contemporary art and decorative elements meet. Each piece is handcrafted with the same meticulous attention to detail that distinguishes Kennedy’s bespoke creations.
Supersonic Mediaeval is a tribute to craftsmanship combined with an artistic vision. The concept of creating transformative objects that enhance everyday life and that people can enjoy is a theme dear to both Tilda and Marianna. Their collaboration was born from this shared philosophy.
Supersonic Mediaeval
The exhibition, curated by Tilda Swinton, presents a carefully selected group of Marianna Kennedy's most significant creations, offering a retrospective that captures the essence of his creative journey. The title, Supersonic Mediaeval, is a playful homage to Tilda Swinton's deep admiration for the work of Marianna Kennedy, who is herself a collector. Suggestive and evocative, the title perfectly reflects the fusion of modernity and tradition at the heart of Kennedy’s art. It resonates as a poetic definition of her practice: deeply rooted in the rich historical fabric of Spitalfields, London, yet boldly projected into the future.
Hosted by Christie’s, Tilda Swinton’s exhibition reinterprets the space as a theatrical scenography, inviting visitors to move freely through the different facets of Marianna Kennedy’s universe. In an atmosphere charged with cinematic energy, behind it all lies a sort of “fondus”, a storehouse for props, where each piece seems ready, waiting to be chosen for its next role. Drawing inspiration from the historic houses of Spitalfields, the scenography evokes an authentic sense of the past. The materials used by Kennedy – vibrant resin, wood, mercury glass, bronze, lacquer and Murano glass – testify to her deep respect for traditional craftsmanship, which she reinterprets through a contemporary lens. Her work, balanced between art and craft, echoes the legacy of great artists such as the decorative arts creations of Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Armand-Albert Rateau and his exquisite bronzes, Jean Dunand or Eileen Gray, internationally renowned works in lacquer.
Fusion of art and design
Fusing art and design and creating a dialogue between past and present, tradition and modernity, Marianna Kennedy’s unique creations transcend time, achieving a profoundly timeless quality. The Christie’s exhibition is organized by PLVR Zurich. This carte blanche given to Tilda Swinton to explore the work of Marianna Kennedy reflects Christie’s ongoing commitment to contemporary creativity in all its forms. It follows in the footsteps of recent exhibitions with Pierre Bonnefille, Mathieu Lehanneur and Elie Top.
Cover image: Marianna Kennedy and Tilda Swinton in conversation about the upcoming exhibition “Supersonic Mediaeval”, at Marianna Kennedy’s home, Spitalfields, London © Lucinda Douglas-Menzies
