Studio Job

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, Studio Job: The Book of Job, New York, 2010, pp. 230-231

When Belgian artist Job Smeets founded Studio Job in 1998, he aspired to generate a renaissance in design through the synthesis of historical tradition and contemporary technology. The present “Industry” Dressoir perfectly encapsulates his approach. Presented in 2010 through the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery in London, the limited edition “Industry” series of furniture is inspired by the renowned marquetry technique of 17th-century French cabinet maker André-Charles Boulle. Boulle perfected the practice of veneering furniture with hand cut pieces of tortoiseshell which he inlaid with metal and other precious materials to create highly intricate ornamentation, the artistry of which elevated furniture to sculptural works of art. In Studio Job’s contemporary take on Boulle marquetry, each “Industry” piece is composed of Indian rosewood and inlaid with bird’s eye maple. Precisely cut using laser technology, the contrast between these dark and light wood inlays creates a densely-packed pattern of silhouettes. Unlike the irregular, serpentine curves that defined decorative arts of the Rococo movement in Boulle’s era, Studio Job simplifies the body of this dressoir to a clean rectangle, allowing the decoration to take center stage. Viewed from afar, the perfectly symmetrical iconography evokes a Rorscach inkblot test open to psychological interpretation. Look closely and one can recognize the outlines of butterflies, birds, lizards and insects intermixed with skeletons, tanks, gas masks, weapons and more. The juxtaposition of these organic and man-made symbols invites contemplation on the often destructive effects of the industrialized society on the natural world; in the words of the artist, “Presented as if fossilised, there is an overwhelming sense that both will have their downfall and eventually become embedded within history.” They also reflect Studio Job’s interest in another art historical tradition, memento mori, which reminds viewers of the inevitability of death. Confronting viewers with these dark but beautiful motifs, the artist leaves open to question how we may correct our ways to peacefully coexist with nature going forward. The “Industry” Dressoir’s presentation at auction provides an opportunity for collectors to acquire an exquisitely crafted and thought-provoking piece of contemporary design.