Studio 55 presents Presence; a new body of work by Sequin Kay exploring attention, materiality, and the quiet power of sustained focus. Working with thousands of individually hand-set Swarovski crystals, Kay transforms surface into a field of light; each piece unfolding through meticulous, time-intensive processes that echo both couture craftsmanship and meditative practice. The works are not simply seen, but experienced; shifting with movement the refraction of light, and revealing themselves gradually to the attentive viewer.
The show will be curated by Daphne Jäckel; an independent curator and creative director working at the intersection of contemporary art and visual storytelling. Her practice is guided by the belief that exhibitions are living narratives, spaces where artistic vision expands beyond the object to become a lived experience. Through intuitive curation and concept driven direction, she shapes environments that invite dialogue, perception and connection.
At the core of Presence is a simple but increasingly rare act; the decision to fully arrive.
In an age defined by speed and distraction, Kay’s practice insists on slowness. Each crystal is placed by hand, building intricate compositions that reward stillness and prolonged looking. The result is a form of contemporary pointillism, where light replaces pigment and perception becomes active rather than passive.
Drawing on influences from sacred geometry, anthropology, and archetypal symbolism, the works operate on multiple levels. They engage the eye through luminosity and precision, while also inviting a deeper, more contemplative encounter; one that connects material beauty with psychological and emotional resonance.
The artworks have been created between her two homes; London and Ibiza, Presence reflects a dialogue between two energies: the intensity and structure of the city, and the openness and light of the island. This interplay is embedded within the works themselves; order and fluidity, discipline and expansion.
Kay’s use of Swarovski crystals extends beyond notions of luxury. Here, they function as instruments of transformation; capturing, bending, and dispersing light to create dynamic, living surfaces. The works shift throughout the day, responding to their environment and the position of the viewer, reinforcing the exhibition’s central premise: that nothing is fixed, and everything is activated through attention.
Presence invites viewers to slow down, to look longer, and to reconnect with the act of seeing; not as consumption, but as participation. The show will incorporate two illuminated artworks lit by British interior designer Andy Stone and two Neon collaborations with British neon artist Mark Illuminati.
Studio 55 founded by contemporary artist Victor Spinelli stands as a sanctuary for creation, curiosity and connection; a living engine that reminds us art is a vehicle for transformation and community.
Further information
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