Around the world, spoons are essential implements that help us scoop, stir, mash, skim, cook, and eat! Some spoons come straight from nature–a gourd cut in half with its own built-in handle, for example, or a curved seashell. Others are carved of wood, bone, or horn, and some are made of fired clay, or hammered or cast metal.
Because of their role in the preparation and serving of food and drink, spoons are often cultural symbols of abundance and generosity. Sometimes the act of stirring, serving, or ladling is spiritually sacred. These spoons can bear visual references to the concept of blessing or a connection to the divine source of nourishment. Contemporary spoon designs include an array of forms and materials, ranging from cast resin to mass-produced flatware hand-adorned with beads or precious stones.
This exhibition presents over 100 spoons from across the globe, including examples from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Some are adorned with exquisite carvings of human and animal figures, and others are brilliant for their simplicity of form. Some show decades or even centuries of wear and use, and others are pristine. As objects of use, spoons are universally understood. Each object is a reflection of a specific cultural context–from intimate traditions of home and family to community and celebratory preparations of food and drink, and the spiritual gestures of giving thanks for sustenance. The design of each spoon reflects the work of a maker, a person often unknown to us, whose creativity inspires a sense of wonder.
This exhibition is made possible through generous support from Susan and Richard Ulevitch.
