Books in the MCL: NESPOON. NESPOON.
NESPOON. NESPOON. 2023
“NeSpoon,” a monograph on the work of the Polish artist, provides a comprehensive examination of her unique integration of lace patterns into urban and natural landscapes. The book, limited to 111 copies, each spanning over 420 pages, showcases the artist’s extensive portfolio and delves into the anthropology, cultural, and historical significance underlying her chosen medium.
NeSpoon revitalizes the traditional craft of lace-making, tracing its roots back to the mid-sixteenth century in Venice and Flanders. This blend of past and present is a recurring theme in her art, as she applies centuries-old designs to contemporary settings. Beyond aesthetic enhancement, her projects aim to instill harmony and natural order—qualities she believes are inherent in lace patterns.
“Why lace? It just came to me. Lace chose me, not the other way around. I’ve never liked lace. Before I started working with it, I thought lace was something old-fashioned, from a grandmother’s dusty apartment. Today it seems to me that each lace harbors harmony, balance and a sense of natural order. Isn’t that just what we are all searching for instinctively?”
The methodology is thoroughly documented, charting the transition from smaller ceramic motifs to large-scale murals worldwide. NeSpoon’s art, involving stencils, ceramics, and yarn, serves as a medium for exploring diverse cultural contexts. Every installation, whether on city buildings or along Baltic Sea beaches, is based on significant research and local tradition engagement.
The book also reflects NeSpoon’s social activism, highlighting her efforts to address visual pollution in public spaces and her sensitive approach to areas affected by war, such as Mostar, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. These sections emphasize the artist’s use of art for social commentary and change.
Academically, “NeSpoon” offers insightful perspectives on how contemporary art engages with traditional crafts and societal issues. Enhanced by the artist’s reflections, the volume provides a comprehensive view of her artistic journey and contributions.
The self-produced book offers a personal insight into NeSpoon’s world without external academic critique or analysis, which leaves room for further interpretation of her place within the broader narrative of contemporary street art and its intersections with cultural heritage and community engagement. “NeSpoon” is a notable contribution to contemporary art literature, particularly for those interested in the synergy between historical crafts and modern artistic practices, including street art, graffiti, and public art.
Text: Steven P. Harrington and Jaime Rojo Fotos: Sebastian Kläbsch