Tilda Swinton Invites You into Marianna Kennedy’s Artistic World
Tilda Swinton invites you to step into Marianna Kennedy’s world. A journey through time, art, and craftsmanship at Christie’s Paris.
From 5 to 11 May 2025, Christie’s Paris will host an exclusive exhibition celebrating the work of British artist and designer Marianna Kennedy. For this special occasion, the gallery will be transformed through the creative vision of Tilda Swinton.
With Supersonic Mediaeval, Swinton invites visitors to step into Kennedy’s world, inspired by London’s historic Spitalfields district. A fusion of Georgian heritage, contemporary culture, and the area’s thriving Bangladeshi community, Spitalfields represents the ever-evolving essence of London. This exhibition unfolds as a poetic, cinematic journey through time, art, and design, led by two innovative creative forces.
Kennedy began producing her signature carved and gilded mirrors in 2006, working from her Spitalfields studio alongside master artisans. Drawing on traditional techniques, she reinterpreted the art of gilding and carving in a contemporary context. Her first major exhibition was held at Galerie Chastel-Marechal in Paris in 2011, following years of creating bespoke commissions for private collectors worldwide.
Kennedy and Swinton were introduced by a mutual friend and quickly bonded over their shared appreciation for craftsmanship. Their collaboration brings historic techniques into the modern era, incorporating innovative materials such as resin and vivid colours. Kennedy’s diverse works, including mirrors, bronze sculptures, lacquered pieces, and the Workshop series of lamps, plaster objects, and painted emblems, are made in limited editions or as one-of-a-kind pieces, seamlessly blending artistic vision with decorative design. Each creation is handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, echoing the dedication seen in her bespoke commissions.
At the heart of Supersonic Mediaeval is a celebration of artistry and craftsmanship. Both Swinton and Kennedy share the belief that objects should enrich daily life, not only as functional pieces but as sources of inspiration.
The exhibition showcases a carefully chosen selection of Kennedy’s most significant works, offering insight into her evolving artistic journey.
The title, Supersonic Mediaeval, reflects Swinton’s deep admiration for Kennedy’s work; she is, in fact, a collector herself. This name encapsulates the balance of history and modernity that defines Kennedy’s approach, where centuries-old techniques are revitalised with a bold, forward-looking spirit.
For this exhibition, Swinton has reimagined the gallery as a theatrical space where visitors can explore Kennedy’s universe freely. The installation carries the energy of a film set, evoking the atmosphere of a backstage storeroom where each piece stands poised for its next role.
Inspired by the historic homes of Spitalfields, the exhibition design draws upon traditional materials, including resin, wood, mercury glass, bronze, lacquer, and Murano glass, showcasing Kennedy’s deep respect for craft while reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. Her work resonates with the artistic legacies of figures such as Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Armand-Albert Rateau, Jean Dunand, and Eileen Gray, all of whom bridged fine art and functional design.
Organised by PLVR Zurich, this exhibition underscores Christie’s commitment to supporting contemporary artistic expression. The collaboration between Swinton and Kennedy aligns with previous showcases dedicated to innovative designers, including Pierre Bonnefille, Mathieu Lehanneur, and Elie Top.
