Almuth Tebbenhoff

Description

Tebbenhoff's, In the Beginning, 2002 takes the Allium, a member of the onion family, as the subject for this sculpture. As the star- like flowers of the Allium fade, they produce distinctive seed heads, which are more robust than the dandelion clock in that the seeds are on the tips, not at the base of the flower. The plant is undeniably sculptural in both its flowering and fading states.

Tebbenholff's theme is of the circular nature of existence. Her beginning is simultaneously an ending as a seed head is formed at the close of the plant's life. Made from welded stainless steel rod of differing gauge, each long stem supports five star clusters, each of which has ten smaller starbursts. The forms repeat across the surface creating a trembling sphere. In strong sun the structures sparkles and in the breeze it shifts and sways.

In the beginning is made entirely by hand in a process as exacting as crochet or knitting. It is the repetitive nature of such skills- once woman's work- that also informs the innate characteristics of the sculpture.