The Opulent Minimalism of Tom Price

Counterpart functions as both a sculpture and a bench. Regardless of your perspective, it is unparalleled in its uniqueness. This renowned sculpture by British artist Tom Price, created for a distinguished commission, has subsequently spawned a range of unique works that blur the lines between art and design.

Tom Price with one of his most recent works, Synthesis L4 (2021, mural and light sculpture)

Tom Price has focused his creative practice on materials since his studies at the esteemed Royal College of Art, where he was mentored by Ron Arad. He engages with a diverse array of materials, ranging from the most traditional to the entirely innovative, and approaches his exploration with the fervor of a true alchemist. His 2014 solo exhibition, “Presence & Absence,” at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, showcased his audacity and skill in this domain, garnering public recognition. In the exhibition, he showcased a collection of human forms, molded in coal, at different stages of decay. I commenced my work with coal after developing a fascination for the ash-covered body castings of the victims of the Pompeii volcano disaster. I aimed to produce a work inspired by a phrase on the inhabitants of Herculaneum, who were 'instantly carbonized' by the extreme heat.

Two pieces from the series “The Presence of Absence,” displayed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City in 2014.

He is also intrigued by resin, especially about its relationship with tar: “The two could not be more dissimilar in appearance.” However, when amalgamated, they yield something truly enchanting. A commission from Chatsworth House facilitated the amalgamation of various experiments into a singular artwork, which has come to epitomize his oeuvre.

Chatsworth House, located in England, houses an extraordinary art collection accumulated by the Dukes of Devonshire throughout sixteen centuries. In 2015, the estate hosted an exhibition of contemporary seats titled “Make Yourself Comfortable,” showcasing notable works by Marc Newson, Maarten Baas, and Johnny Swing. Curator Hannah Obee commissioned works from several artists for the event, emphasizing the most experimental approaches, all influenced by the site's history and collections. Tom Price, a commissioned artist, recollects that "the brief was exceedingly straightforward." Visit Chatsworth House to discover elements that will inspire the design and fabrication of seating.

Counterpart, authored by Tom Price. Image: Chatsworth House Trust

He crafted two seats with similar dimensions: simplistic blocks featuring minimalist lines, each measuring 2.2 meters in length. The association with Chatsworth House is rooted in the selection of materials. One bench is constructed from coal, alluding to the family's former coal mines; the other, fashioned from crystalline light-reflecting resin, honors the mineral collection initiated by Duchess Georgiana in the eighteenth century.

The opaque, matte texture of coal contrasts with the transparency of resin, which emanates a luminous quality due to an integrated lighting system. This luminous appearance effectively highlights the jade, turquoise, and gold tones generated by the unconventional combination of resin and tar.

The title of the work, Counterpart, explicitly denotes the dialogue established when these two blocks are juxtaposed. The artist perceives a relationship between his work and the elegance of the pedestals that uphold ancient statues: “It was also intended as an homage to the humble plinth, which I regarded as the counterpart to the sculptures they supported.” When seen independently, the blocks serve as protagonists and attract attention; but, once occupied, they transition to a functional role, supporting the individual seated upon them.

Counterpart II, authored by Tom Price. Photograph: Javi de Esteban

Counterpart exemplifies Tom Price's artistic methodology, akin to that of a scientist who explores, observes, and advances research by deriving insights from his errors. Each item exemplifies his distinctive talent for creating works that engage the viewer by the simplicity of their lines, their minimalist elegance, and their dual identity as both art and utilitarian objects, contingent upon the manner in which spectators engage with them.

Counterpart has subsequently inspired a limited collection of practical sculptures, all of which are accessible via the Artistics online contemporary art gallery.