Bonbonnière

"Bonbonnière" by Joana Vasconcelos transforms an ordinary ceramic washbasin into an extravagant confection of femininity and excess, smothering the functional object beneath an explosion of handmade woollen crochet, glittering sequins, and playful plastic ornaments. The work draws a provocative contrast between the utilitarian domesticity of the washbasin and the ornate, labour-intensive textile work that engulfs it, referencing traditional women's crafts as both celebration and critique. Like the decorative candy box its title evokes, the piece seduces with its lavish surfaces while quietly interrogating the roles and expectations historically assigned to women.