In this body of work, I investigate historical drinking vessels with a base in the form animal heads, specifically Rhytons and Stirrup Cups—objects that embody a complex interplay of symbolism, ritual, and social function. While these vessels often signify admiration for the animals they depict, they simultaneously reveal systems of objectification embedded within their use and aestheticization.

My interpretation of these vessels departs from tradition, emphasizing animal individuality, intentionality, and agency. In these works, the animal forms quietly return our gaze, observing both us and the environments we cohabit. This reframing draws attention to the ways human cultural production impacts the natural world, prompting a questioning of assumptions that place human experience at the center of meaning.

By creating alternative versions of Rhytons and Stirrup Cups, I seek to question traditional hierarchies between humans and nonhuman animals. These vessels invite contemplation of a more reciprocal understanding of the relationships we share with other species.