Timothy Horn: Difficult to Swallow

Hosfelt Gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition in the US of Australian Timothy Horn’s work. His antique jewelry–inspired sculptures are unabashedly about desire. In the 18th century, when a jewel dangled from an earlobe at court, it was a seductive ornament. But Horn’s sculptures, enlarged twenty-fold and hanging on the wall, approach vulgarity. In spite of our aspirations to “good taste,” we find ourselves attracted to them.

Gay and feminist subtexts permeate the work. The titles have sexual overtones and puns that invite multiple readings. Jewels represent the display of wealth and social status. Yet despite its public function, jewelry is intimate and erotic. It is, after all, worn on and designed to draw attention to the body of a woman.

Made of nickel-plated cast bronze and lead crystal, the chandelier-scaled baubles walk a fine line between status symbol of the socially prominent and kitsch trinket of the tasteless and shameless.