Last of the Light

An object gains meaning and history through ownership, which can ebb and flow throughout its life. Beer glasses are a common, collectible item which offer a dual-purpose use of both function and aesthetic interest.

This collection was owned by Derek Chapman, a master cabinetmaker who passed away in 2017 from a long battle with cancer. Gathered on family visits to Belgium with his wife and step-children, they represent the shifting, blended nature of family.

What struck me when I saw them carefully wrapped and packed in a box was the fragility. The fragility of his health, of the 'revolving door' family dynamic and of the glasses themselves. The delicate melancholy of loss. The memory-laden objects left behind.