Limited Masterworks Figure Hermit Crab

With her object Hermit Crab, Maria Walther addresses a topical ecological issue and translates it into a porcelain sculpture that is both poetic and thought-provoking. Hermit crabs protect their soft abdomens in empty snail shells or seashells, which also help them regulate their body temperature. As they grow, they move into larger shelters, while the abandoned shells are reused by smaller animals. However, suitable natural homes are becoming increasingly scarce. Overfishing, the collecting of shells and the consequences of climate change are disrupting this natural cycle. At the same time, ever greater quantities of plastic, cans and other man-made waste are washing up along coastlines and are now being used by the animals as makeshift shelters.

Maria Walther's sculpture presents this development in a striking way. A large hermit crab emerges from a classically beautiful shell, holding a discarded Crab-Cola can in its claw. The can, too, is already inhabited: a young hermit crab peers inquisitively from its opening. What at first appears to be a creative solution in fact points to a troubling reality for future generations. For the decoration, the artist chose lustre colours, a traditional MEISSEN painting technique. Inspired by shimmering films of oil on the surface of water, the decoration creates an effect that ranges from softly pearlescent to intensely rainbow-like, depending on the incidence of light.

In this way, the artwork combines exceptional craftsmanship, aesthetic beauty and a clear message advocating a more responsible approach to our environment.