Abstract Coral Earthenware Non-Functional Sculpture. Signed indistinctly on exterior bottom edge. Rounded nodular protusions attached throughout, creating the impression of a coral reef or a tree stump covered in mushrooms. 

Condition: Minor damage to some nodules. See images. 

Size: 12 x 12 x 12 in. 

#2420 . 

“Non-Functional Art” is a highly subjective term that began to appear in intellectual discussions of art in the latter half of the 20th Century, generally implying a design, concept, or object that serves a non-essential purpose in terms of day-to-day survival. Art itself springs from a sense beyond mere survival, a desire of expression or thought that transcends base brain functions and incorporates imagination and inspiration. The desire to make art is inextricably tied to the act of invention, as the earliest cave art made by humans depict both realistic and unrealistic imagery, and seem to record events in the life of the tribe as well as possibly dreams and visions. Design works whose functions have been subverted, as well as artworks that incorporate functional objects but don’t allow them to be used as intended, are a relatively recent development in the long history of humanity. For example, a vase may be turned upside-down to make art, and thus no longer serves its intended purpose of holding substance within. Despite sometimes being non-functional, art is always purposeful. The Swiss philosopher Alain de Botton, in his seminal work “Art as Therapy,” implies that purpose is, in fact, function, and even breaks down all art into seven distinct psychological functions, seven key emotions, impressions, or effects that they have on the observer (and the artist themselves): Remembering, Hope, Sorrow, Rebalancing, Self-Understanding, Growth, and Appreciation.

Minor damage to some nodules. See images.