Kissing Angels, 2022, was created for Peter Hort and Sotheby’s ‘Art As Jewelry,’ exhibit, all proceeds will be donated to the Rema Hort Mann Foundation.
This Kissing Angels unique 18k gold pendant necklace is an example of Otterness’ whimsical subversion of tradition and demonstrates why his works are often deemed cheeky or cartoonish. The simple, attractive forms are familiar, recognizable, and comforting to viewers, and the concept of kissing angels is personally significant to Tom and inspired by a smaller work called Guardian Angel. The latter, a work in white metal, was created for Peter Hort and produced on a large scale with all proceeds donated to the Rema Hort Mann Foundation for emerging artists and cancer patients. Kissing Angels is a unique work made for the same purpose. Hort was ‘instrumental in his conception of bringing art to people in the process of healing in hospitals,’ Otterness says, noting that when he designed Kissing Angels, he imagined the angels ‘in the air celebrating life and defying gravity.’
Otterness has created several pieces of jewelry in the past as gifts to family and friends inspired by his larger artworks. Kissing Angels is his first unique piece that was created specifically for Sotheby’s inaugural Art as Jewelry as Art auction.
