Few symbols of death enchant like seashells, the calcified exoskeletons of mollusks, which have transitioned from decorative items to significant artistic materials amid rising appreciation for organic motifs.
In Renaissance Italy, seashells adorned artificial grottos in prominent villas, creating elaborate retreats that contrasted with formal gardens and served as cultural status symbols.
The shell mania of Victorian Britain saw women integrating shells into creative handicrafts, transforming everyday items into artistic expressions that highlighted their exotic journeys.
Amid a climate crisis, artists now embrace shells as valuable sources of inspiration and material, as showcased in the upcoming exhibition 'Objects for a Heavenly Cave'.
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