Bio: Beth Katleman, 66, Brooklyn, NY
Title of work: “Marie Antoinette’s Folly”
Where to see it: “Marie Antoinette Style,” Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Three words to describe this work: Irreverent, seductive, and dark.
What was on your mind at the time: I wanted to invite the viewer to enter the glamorous alternate universe of Marie Antoinette’s pleasure garden at the Petit Trianon. But once they enter, nothing is quite what it seems.
An interesting feature that’s not immediately noticeable: It’s made up of over 4,500 handmade porcelain elements.
How the work reflects your practice as a whole: Marie Antoinette has always been a touchstone for me. She represents a potent combination of decadence, desire, artifice, and scandal that feels particularly contemporary.
One song that captures the work’s essence: “Addicted to Love” by Florence + The Machine
