16 Apr 2021
Royal Museums Greenwich is delighted to acquire ‘Asabikeshiinh Aeris’ by artist Rowan Mersh. The work will go on display as part of the contemporary art collection at the Queen's House.
by Sue Prichard, Senior Curator of Arts
Shell craft work has long been associated with the tradition of collecting; from the Grand Tours of the 17th and 18th Century to sailor’s souvenirs of their travels.
The collection at Greenwich includes intricate designs of ships painstakingly carved on nautilus shells to sailor’s valentines, as well as small cowrie shells widely disseminated as indigenous currency. All are objects with great aesthetic and emotional appeal.
‘Asabikeshiinh Aeris’ by sculptor Rowan Mersh joins this collection as an exquisite example of a contemporary synthesis of traditional craft, new technology and nature.
It will be displayed in the Queen’s House, 'a beautiful place to see beautiful things'.
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Asabikeshiinh Aeris
This intricate, highly innovative bronze sculpture by English multi-media sculptor Rowan Mersh is set to enter the Queen's House collection.
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Asabikeshiinh Aeris
The work is an 'exquisite example of a contemporary synthesis of traditional craft, new technology and nature' according Royal Museums Greenwich curator Sue Prichard.
About the artist
Rowan Mersh is an English multi-media sculptor. His sculptures have been acquired by major private and public collections worldwide, most notably the Victoria & Albert Museum, Jerwood and The Crafts Council collections. His commissions and special projects include works for the Mercury Music Prize, Fendi and Veuve Clicquot.
He is known for his freestanding sculptures and large-scale wall pieces made of thousands of components of various materials engaged to create an effect of fluidity and soft-like appearance.
Mersh was born in Dorset and studied Art & Design at The Arts Institute at Bournemouth; a BA in Multi-Media Textiles at Loughborough University (2003) and an MA Mixed Media Constructed Textiles at the Royal College of Art, 2005.