Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery is delighted to present Into the Heart of the Moon, a special evening celebrating the launch of The Calabash, a new series of wearable sculptures by London-based jewellery designer Satta Matturi. Exclusively showcasing for the first time at the gallery, the series transforms one of Africa’s oldest and symbolic objects into contemporary wearable art, celebrating the values that continue to unite us across cultures.
The calabash is derived from the gourd fruit, one of humanity’s oldest cultivated plants.For centuries it has served as a vessel for food and water, a musical instrument and an object used in ceremonies and rituals. Beyond its practical function, its spherical shape is believed to be a symbol of the universe reaffirming its global importance of bringing balance, wisdom and protection to humanity and the passing of knowledge from one
generation to the next.
The Calabash series debuts with seven unique wearable sculptures: a convertible pendant that can also be worn as a brooch, three rings, a jabot pin, a pair of earrings and an additional ring from the gallery’s collection. Materiality is intentionally explored with various mediums such as gold, wood, bronze and aluminium, making each sculptural piece organic with the refined geometry of Art Deco. The pendant’s dual function reflects the versatility of the calabash itself, transforming an everyday vessel into a contemporary heirloom.
The evening will be accompanied by a live performance of the Kora, a traditional string instrument made from the calabash gourd itself, with a thematic narrative of songs curated by Satta for an emotionally uplifting experience. Together, the music and the jewellery invite visitors to reflect on the enduring relevance of traditional cosmology and on the universal values of connection, belonging and shared humanity.
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