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The Wednesday Journal of Cultural Insights.
Angry Animals, a title that captures your attention immediately, is a captivating series of ceramic sculptures by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius, showcased in her solo exhibition “Roped Beings” at Salon 94 Design in New York in a winter 2024 exhibition.
The collection features eight life-sized ceramic animal heads, each portraying a female animal, including Erica the shark, Bonnie the hippo, and Monica the gorilla. Glazed with earthy pigments inspired by lichen Jongerius encountered during her travels, these sculptures reflect the natural world’s raw beauty and complexity.
Jongerius describes wild animals as “silent partners” in coexistence with humans, yet often without a voice. Through the Angry Animals series, she channels their anger and frustration as a poignant metaphor for humanity’s ethical dilemmas.
The open-mouthed expressions combine humor with profound symbolism, giving these voiceless beings a commanding, emotional presence.
Image credit: Photo Credit: Sean Davidson. Courtesy of the artist and Salon 94 Design © Hella Jongerius
Complementing the Angry Animals, the “Roped Beings” exhibition also includes two additional bodies of work: the “Bead Tables” series and experimental textile studies. The “Bead Tables” explore the balance between functionality and sculpture, featuring grids disrupted by porcelain beads and threads, intentionally creating moments of imperfection. Meanwhile, the textile studies highlight innovative weaving techniques developed at Jongerius Lab in Berlin, underscoring the interconnectedness of all living and non-living things.
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