Material culture plays a crucial role in understanding the history of societies past and present. Used in disciplines such as anthropology and archaeology, this concept focuses on the cultural significance of physical objects. Glass artist Laura Kramer draws inspiration from this idea, incorporating her personal experiences in anthropology and archaeology into her intricate sculptures.
Having participated in excavations in St. Eustatius, an island in the Caribbean, Kramer is deeply interested in the spiritual connection that objects can hold. Her work is heavily influenced by the concept of the cabinet of curiosities, where odd and unusual objects defy traditional categorization. From her studio in Rhode Island, she sculpts organic forms covered in ornate textures that mimic the natural formation of crystals.
Kramer often incorporates found objects like wasp nests into her sculptures, creating pieces that challenge the boundaries between the manmade and the natural. Her artworks exist in a liminal space, inviting viewers to consider the intersection of human creations and the natural world from an anthropological perspective.
One of Kramer’s sculptures, titled “Cinnabar,” features hues of blue, red, yellow, and tan, covered in textures reminiscent of crystal formations. Another piece, named “Marie,” showcases a blend of blue, green, lavender, and ivory, adorned with pearls and drips. Each sculpture tells a unique story, drawing on Kramer’s background in anthropology and her fascination with the spiritual essence imbued within objects.
To see more of Kramer’s captivating work, visit her Instagram profile. Through her art, she invites viewers to explore the intricate relationship between material culture, spirituality, and the natural world.
