Transforming Known Objects

Born in 1983 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Mark Sturkenboom is an artist whose fascination for human behaviour provokes unconventional work that stretches the boundaries, often through the reinterpretation and transformation of products that are intertwined with the themes love and time.

Mint featured Mark in the Twisting Tradition exhibition for LDF 2015, for his innovative and refined work.  Continue reading to see more of Mark’s work.

C’est La Vie 14 kt gold plated Dom Perignon champagne cork cases

The C’est La Vie collection transforms known objects to form new associations and deeper meanings. These pieces transform items that would traditionally be disposed of, in to symbolic pieces of art. The gold plated cork wire cases are symbols of celebration, and one can send in their cork wire case from that special memory and have them transformed into a goldplated brooch.

The Evolutionary and Future Residue pieces have been created by combining either different animals skulls or insects to create a new species.

The Evolutionary

The evolution of beetles formed the inspiration to take a next step in Evolution. By reshuffling different taxidermy insects in the computer, new species emerged. The pieces are crafted from laser-cut leather, worked with water to make the leather three dimensional, and so new forms of life are born.

Future Residues

The Future Residues skull is composed from different animal skull-parts such as sheep, horse, bull and cow, formed from one laser-cut piece of leather. Sturkenboom’s creations are forming new species from creatures of the past, allowing future relics to emerge.

Sturkenboom’s work is innovative and beautiful. By combining italian craftsmanship techniques with contemporary technology like laser-cutting, new possibilities emerge.

Craft the Leather

Craft the Leather is a further project by Sturkenboom, consisting of three pieces; a set of headphones, suspenders to hold your phone and a tattoo-armpiece. These accessories are playing with the quickly changing identities of young women in the modern day. One of the intricate qualities of this natural tanned leather is that one can wear it directly on the skin. By wetting the leather it is possible to create a perfect fit on the body, like a second skin.

Sturkenboom should be celebrated for his fine work and craftsmanship.

Images © Jesse Nortier, Sanne Zurné, Yoram Tomasowa and © Mint