Septem Maria (Seven Seas)

An exceptional seven-piece furniture suite by Johnny Swing composed of nesting forms made from welded coins and stainless steel. Inspired by marine life, each component can stand independently or be arranged with the others as a larger installation. The complete suite was produced in an edition of eight with two artist’s proofs.

2020
Coins and stainless steel
Edition: 8 + 2 artist’s proofs
Overall dimensions: 108 W × 72 D × 25 H in. (274.3 W × 182.9 D × 63.5 H cm)

About the Maker:
Johnny Swing (American, b. 1961) is an artist and designer associated with the American Studio Furniture movement, best known for transforming thousands of welded coins into functional sculpture. A licensed Class 1 structural steel welder, Swing develops each work through hand-carved prototypes, molded forms and engineered steel frameworks before welding the coin surface entirely by hand. His work is held in the permanent collections of Storm King Art Center, Chatsworth House and the Modernism Museum and has been exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and LongHouse Reserve.