Marlowe Hill’s long-time interest in Italian culture and art history served as inspiration for his entry into this year’s Tru Vue® Framing Competition, winning him two awards — Past Winners’ Selection Award and Attendees’ Choice.
With the contest theme Making the Ordinary Extraordinary, Marlowe took an object of everyday Italian life, an espresso maker, and created framing that echoes one of the country’s traditional architectural elements, sculptural niches.
The eight-inch shadowbox frame is based on the same proportions as the Old Renaissance sculptural niches found in historic buildings throughout Italy. Inlaid woods of walnut and high-quality curly maple make a checkerboard pattern on the curve of the frame. The shellac and beeswax finish also pays homage to traditional methods. Marlowe cut the Museum Glass® in the curved shape necessary for the framing. The espresso maker appears to be suspended, held in place by a customized steel armature, its pieces fashioned in an anatomical diagram.
Having participated in the competition for the last two years, last year winning the Facebook Fans Award, Marlowe aimed to create something that was unique in every aspect. Because his business is focused on hand-crafted frames, he appreciates the opportunity to showcase his work to an international audience the possibilities that exist beyond standard frames.
“I’m happiest when I’m given a challenge that no one has seemed to figure out,” said Marlowe. “After seeing entries from the past two years, I really wanted to stand out in this year’s competition.”
Marlowe will receive a fifteen -month supply of Museum Glass for winning the Past Judges’ Selection Award and the Attendees’ Choice Award.
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