Christie’s Paris has transformed into an immersive stage for Marianna Kennedy’s visionary artistry, guided by the singular imagination of Tilda Swinton. Supersonic Mediaeval invites visitors into Kennedy’s world, where London’s Spitalfields, with its Georgian grandeur, hipster vibrancy, and Bangladeshi dynamism, converge into a singular creative force.
Kennedy’s career began in 2006, carving and gilding mirrors from her Spitalfields studio, where traditional techniques met contemporary reinvention. Her first major exhibition at Galerie Chastel-Maréchal (2011) marked her arrival, though her bespoke commissions had already woven their way into private collections worldwide.
Her collaboration with Swinton—forged through a mutual reverence for artisanal craft—breathes new life into historical methods. Resin, bold hues, and experimental materials merge with gilded mirrors, bronze, and lacquer, while her Workshop series—lamps, plaster objects, and painted emblems—blur the line between functional design and art. Whether a limited edition or unique creation, each piece carries the precision of Kennedy’s handcrafted ethos.
A longtime collector of Kennedy’s work, Swinton curates this exhibition as a theatrical tableau, where Christie’s galleries become a stage. The title itself—Supersonic Mediaeval—captures the tension at the heart of Kennedy’s practice: a dialogue between heritage and avant-garde expression.
The scenography echoes Spitalfields’ historic homes, with materials—Murano glass, mercury glass, lacquer, wood—speaking to artisanal legacy while embracing modernity. The effect is cinematic, as if each object awaits its next role in an unfolding narrative.
Kennedy’s work resonates with the decorative mastery of Giacometti, Rateau, Dunand, and Eileen Grey, yet her voice remains distinctly contemporary. Here, art and design intertwine, transcending time.
This exhibition, organised by PLVR Zurich, continues Christie’s commitment to boundary-pushing creativity, following recent showcases by Pierre Bonnefille, Mathieu Lehanneur, and Elie Top.
Marianna Kennedy Supersonic Mediaeval is an unforgettable foray into the art of transformation.
CHRISTIE’S FRANCE, 9 AVENUE MATIGNON, GALLERIES FROM MAY 5 – 11, 2025.