Ricky Swallow’s Loti Smorgon Sculpture Terrace Commission transforms four everyday stainless steel spoons into something unfamiliar by altering their scale and context.

Bent forms #1–#4 has been created by Swallow from scaled-up wax prints of actual teaspoons, which he has bent into various shapes. Envisioned as a kind of tableau, or grouping of figures, the sculptures are products of intense studio labour. Their distorted forms reference spoon bending, a trick often performed to demonstrate telekinesis – the supposed manipulation of objects through the mind. Like many of the artist’s works, these sculptures capture an energy that is not visible or immediately understood. The spoon, an everyday utensil, is made enigmatic by Swallow, who draws a parallel between telekinesis and the ability of artists to shape reality through their work.

Based in Los Angeles, Swallow (b. 1974, San Remo, Victoria) is best known for sculptural works that combine everyday objects and contemporary imagery with references to art history and themes of labour, time and obsolescence. He has exhibited internationally for over two decades and represented Australia in the 2005 Venice Biennale. His work Caravan (2008) is in the MCA Collection.