How a contemporary artist finds creative fuel within The Met's vast collection
In short: Artist Sarah Sze examines specific pieces from The Metropolitan Museum of Art that serve as inspiration for her own creative practice. This video highlights how historical works across different cultures and centuries continue to inform modern artistic perspectives.
Sarah Sze explores a diverse selection of acquisitions that showcase the breadth of The Met. Her focus includes the 13th-century Japanese sculpture 'The Bodhisattva Jizō', crafted from cypress wood with intricate gold leaf and rock-crystal details. She also considers the 17th-century 'Adoration of the Magi', a piece attributed to Miguel Gonzalez featuring mother-of-pearl inlay, and a portrait of the Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch, who was active between 1664 and 1750.
By engaging with these specific objects, Sze demonstrates how historical craftsmanship and artistic legacy remain vital to contemporary creation. These works, ranging from religious iconography to portraiture, illustrate the enduring dialogue between past masters and the artists who study them today.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Museum as Muse Featuring Artist Sarah Sze
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