Formidable Bronze Crowns by Marianna Simnett Conjure Myth and the Sublime Feminine

For Marianna Simnett, sticking to one medium or theme defies her interpretation of what art can be. She fights the natural proclivity of galleries, collectors, and art enthusiasts to typecast her practice as one thing. “Trying to shed those expectations every time—trying to do something different—it’s exhausting but so worth it,” she says in an interview for Art Basel. “Now the signature is that people don’t know what to expect, and that’s the best outcome possible.”

Among myriad strains of her practice—which include filmmaking, sculpture, installation, painting, and performance—a collection of bronze crowns created between 2022 and 2024 command our attention. Situated on top of bespoke velvet cushions, Simnett’s Crowns are cast in an alloy that would make the elaborate headpieces burdensome or even painful to wear, yet the meticulously formed arches, band, and spikes manifest as delicate mammals and birds.

a sculpture of a patinated bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, situated on a pink velvet cushion — “Hydra” (2023), bronze and velvet, 55 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

“Simnett uses vivid and visceral means to explore the body as a site of transformation,” says a statement from SOCIÉTÉ, which represents the artist. “In psychologically charged works that challenge both herself and the viewer, Simnett imagines radical new worlds filled with untamed thoughts, strange tales, and desires.”

Named for powerful female figures from ancient lore like Discordia, the Greek goddess of strife, or Lilith, a she-demon in Jewish and Mesopotamian mythology, Simnett’s Crowns examine the power, ferocity, and sublimity of allegorical female figures. One can imagine that only supernatural beings could wear these pieces and feel comfortable.

Simnett’s sculptures were first shown in her exhibition OGRESS in 2022. “In fairy tales and folklore, the ogress is a voracious monster who deceives men and torments children in her quest to ravish them whole,” says an exhibition statement. Simnett wielded “the ogress’ insatiable hunger as a radical force,” illuminating the role of women in myth and legend, especially the symbolic tension between embracing and fearing those who are different.

Simnett’s solo exhibition Charades opens at SOCIÉTÉ on May 1, coinciding with Berlin Gallery Weekend. Explore a wide range of the artist’s multimedia work on her website and Instagram.

a sculpture of a gold-coated bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, situated on yellow velvet cushion — “Laverna” (2023), bronze and velvet, 55 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a detail of a sculpture of a gold-coated bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, situated on yellow velvet cushion — Detail of “Laverna.” Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a sculpture of a bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, coated in metallic silver, situated on a red velvet cushion — “Discordia” (2023), bronze and velvet, 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a sculpture of a bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, coated in metallic silver, situated on a green velvet cushion — “Maniae” (2022), bronze and velvet, 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 16 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a sculpture of a bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals, coated in metallic silver, situated on a blue-gray velvet cushion — “Lilith” (2024), bronze and velvet, 57 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a detail of a sculpture of a gold-coated bronze crown composed of tiny birds and other animals — Detail of “Lilith.” Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

a sculpture of a bronze crown composed of tiny birds, coated in metallic silver, situated on a black velvet cushion — “Astraea” (2023), bronze and velvet, 55 1/2 x 17 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches. Image courtesy of the artist and SOCIÉTÉ, Berlin

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