Michele Oka Doner
Mitosis , 2024
Electroformed silver box
54 x 32 cm
Edition of 5 + 2AP
Signed and Numbered
Mitosis (©2024): A limited edition of 5 electroformed silver boxes, with 2 additional artist proofs. Mitosis captures the moment of cellular division, a metaphor for the potential for growth and transformation inherent in all natural forms. Adding a tangible connection to this concept, the electroformed bark used in these pieces was retrieved from the Hudson River upstate many years ago by Oka Doner herself.
The collection is an homage to “The Botanic Age”—a time long before the Stone Age, when plants and trees were central to human development and creativity. Dr. Dean Falk’s research at Florida State University positions this era as the true cradle of civilisation, where botanic inventions like woven baskets shaped our cognitive and cultural evolution long before we wielded stone tools.
Drawn from Oka Doner’s profound connection to the natural world and human history, her designs serve as spiritual meditations of this era, reflecting a time when humans were stewards of the earth rather than its masters. Her message resonates powerfully in today’s world as we face the consequences of “Plant Blindness,” a term recently coined to describe how the Industrial Revolution has distanced humanity from the natural world. The collection is a call to action for a New Botanic Age.
Oka Doner’s work is distinguished not only by her evocative vocabulary of natural forms but also by her ability to transform these forms into talismanic objects that resonate with elemental energies. Her creations are not just jewelry; they are exquisite works of art that captivate the senses. Each piece, meticulously crafted, radiates a beauty that is both timeless and transcendent. The fluidity of her designs, inspired by the organic curves and delicate intricacies of nature, results in pieces that are elegant, graceful, and profoundly feminine.
The collaboration between Elisabetta Cipriani Gallery and Michele Oka Doner is an ongoing project. This launch represents the beginning of a continuing exploration of central themes in Oka Doner’s work— the connection between humanity and the natural world, particularly how ancient wisdom and botanical forms have shaped human experiences and artistic expressions. Future pieces from this collaboration are expected to delve further into these concepts, offering new interpretations and forms throughout the year.
