“Fountain of Knowledge” Mixed Media Wall Sculpture, 43″ x 20″ x 17″, Custom Acrylic Mount
“Fountain of Knowledge” – Where Centuries Converge in Contemporary Art
This remarkable wall sculpture represents a profound meditation on the flow of knowledge through time, transforming an authentic late 1700s Chinese chair into a vessel for centuries of learning. Created by Dallas contemporary artist Christi Meril, “Fountain of Knowledge” exemplifies the artist’s signature ability to discover extraordinary potential in historical objects, breathing new life into antique craftsmanship through contemporary vision.
The sculpture’s foundation is an exquisite Chinese chair dating to the late 18th century, its weathered wood bearing the patina of centuries and the subtle marks of countless moments of contemplation. Upon this historic seat, Christi has carefully arranged a collection of French books published in the 1800s, each volume representing the intellectual ferment of a pivotal century in European thought and culture. The books are positioned to suggest both deliberate study and the organic accumulation of wisdom over time.
Crowning this literary cairn is a magnificent natural amethyst crystal, its multifaceted surface catching and refracting light while symbolizing the crystallization of knowledge into wisdom. The purple stone’s natural beauty serves as both aesthetic focal point and metaphorical capstone, representing the transformation of accumulated learning into enlightened understanding.
The sculpture’s most striking element is the cascade of clear resin that flows like liquid knowledge down the front and sides of the books, pooling onto the chair’s surface and continuing to drip from the front edge. This “fountain” effect creates a mesmerizing visual metaphor for the way knowledge flows through generations, accumulating in vessels of learning before spilling forth to nourish new minds. The resin’s transparency allows viewers to see through to the books beneath, suggesting that true knowledge is both substantial and luminous.
Measuring an impressive 43″H x 20″W x 17″D, the piece commands attention while maintaining elegant proportions suitable for sophisticated residential or institutional settings. The sculpture is expertly mounted on a custom polished acrylic system using a French cleat mechanism, ensuring both security and an almost floating presentation that enhances the piece’s ethereal quality.
“Fountain of Knowledge” speaks to our contemporary relationship with learning and wisdom in an age of information abundance. By combining artifacts from different centuries and cultures – Chinese craftsmanship, French literature, Brazilian crystal, and American artistic vision – the work celebrates the universal human quest for understanding that transcends geographical and temporal boundaries.
This museum-quality piece appeals particularly to collectors of conceptual art, lovers of antiques, and those who appreciate the intersection of historical preservation and contemporary artistic interpretation. It offers a sophisticated commentary on education, wisdom, and the material culture of learning while serving as a stunning visual anchor for any serious art collection.
