Re-Assembled Vase
Re-Assembled Vase
Haoying Zhang
Gourd, Cement
The Reassembled Vase is made from a single bottle gourd, carefully marked, cut into individual tesserae, labeled, and reassembled in their original sequence to preserve the continuous natural patina of the fruit. By reconstructing the lightweight, organic gourd into an inorganic, monumental form, the work draws attention to the parallel histories of gourds and ceramics—both among humanity’s earliest vessels, yet while ceramics survived to be collected and studied, much of the gourd’s material history disappeared through natural decomposition. Waterproof and functional for fresh flowers, the vessel brings this overlooked material history back into contemporary domestic life as a sculptural accent for a dining table, coffee table, or entryway.
Height: 11 in
Width: 6 in
Depth: 6 in
Artist Bio:
Haoying Zhang is a Chinese artist and designer based in Providence, RI, and trained at Rhode Island School of Design, whose work draws inspiration from underrepresented traditional design and craft practices as ways to reconnect with nature and cultural heritage in contemporary urban life. Her practice centers on the gourd as both a material and a cultural object, transforming its naturally grown forms into contemporary works that connect craft, storytelling, and modern life. Find more of Haoying’s work at gourdrevival.com.
Artist Identifiers:
BIPOC, Immigrant to U.S., Sustainable or Upcycled Materials, Woman-Owned
