Sculptural mirror: "Here I am"

The artefact, Here I am, is situated within Silver Futures, a Hidden Objects Oxford project, a collaboration between Independent Curator, Amanda Game, St Johns’ College Oxford , The Ashmolean Museum, and artists, Hanson, Knight and Ten-Homple. It involved the commissioning of two site-specific artworks, created using silver from the melt of damaged objects from St John’s silver collection to explore contemporary responses to the historical process of melt and re-use of silver. Since ancient and medieval times, fine crafted precious metal objects were understood as luxury commodities, integral to the social, political and cultural lifestyles of those who were able to afford to own and use them, providing visual evidence of status and wealth. Early discussions with curators and commissioners allowed artists the opportunity to question the role, purpose and value silver objects have today, challenging established conventions that hopefully allow for new discourses to take place. The research and creative design methods used resulted in the sculptural mirror, Here I am, which explores ways to engage with the evolving academic community of St John’s College, celebrating the inclusive and outward looking ethos that is at the heart of contemporary college life. Our intension (Hanson & Knight) “was to create a contemporary and democratic object for all, that speaks of equality and diversity, that has the capacity to reflect; both physically and metaphorically, the time within which we live.” Hannah Skoda, Keeper of Silver and Vestments at St Johns college, states, “these new pieces represent continuity of purpose over at least five centuries, quite literally embodying a sense of renewal.”