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“Origin,” Qi Jin’s raw and graceful work is a study of the origins of life. It is hand carved from solid white marble, chosen for its pristine beauty as well as its elemental nature. “Origin” has three separate parts which can be understood as three “eggs.” This concept is further reinforced by the “yolk” highlighted by a light within each egg that radiates through a pierced vine design suggesting shell like fragility and presenting a pattern that is organic and eternal.
“Origin” was also designed for sitting. The origin of civilized life is marked by moments when elements of nature were crafted into useful tools. Parallel to those moments, function drove innovation which gave birth to many examples of prehistoric art that reveal the deep human need for beauty.
The Chinese tradition of appreciating stones as sculpture began during the 17th century when Chinese artists collected unusual stones in their studios to inspire their work. “Scholars’ Rocks” were titled, carefully mounted and often painted on scrolls or referenced in poetry.
With “Origin”, Qi Jin effectively communicates that depending on perspective, a stone can be an unnoticed part of the natural world, a light, a seat or even a work of art. Whether interpreted as stones, eggs, seats, lanterns or sculptures, “Origin” conceptually and functionally blurs the boundaries between nature and art.
Qi Jin earned her M.A. in Design from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, the premier fine arts institute in China.
“Origin”
Qi Jin
Beijing, China
2009
Marble
