Interior designer Natalia Miyar reveals her treasured object
Natalia Miyar has a brass sculpture. The piece, a lion figure, was purchased by her father, Rafael Miyar, in Mexico City in 1975. It joined the family the same year Miyar was born.
Rafael Miyar loves to give a piece with a connection to their shared story for birthdays. A few years ago, he presented this sculpture. The creator of the work is Pál Kepenyes, a Hungarian artist who was working in Mexico City. His signature is visible on the mane.
At first glance, the object looks like a lion. However, when you start analysing the components you can see how it takes a lot of decorative heritage from pre Hispanic artwork. Specific elements include a figure of a man wearing an eagle headdress and an owl situated on the flank. The sculpture features red glass eyes and asymmetrical whiskers.
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The styling of the mane suggests flames or the rays of the sun. These Aztec motifs were used by a European man who adopted local traditions and expressed them in a really innovative way.
Miyar notes that her father has given her many beautiful things, but this one has particular resonance because everything she loves about good design is here: the materiality and combination of decorative elements. There is a slightly brutalist quality to the piece. She appreciates metal that shows the patina of age and can be moulded to take on a different character.
According to Miyar, the piece is “not pristine, but it still feels raised.” She believes the artist’s hand imbues each piece with a life of its own. The imperfections are perfect to her.
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The sculpture also connects her to the collector heritage that her father instilled in her. To this day, if she’s buying something special, she sends him a picture and asks for his opinion. The lion now lives on the coffee table in her London apartment, but she can close her eyes and picture him there in her old family home in Miami after the family moved from Mexico, where her siblings and she were born.
It’s important to live with pieces that have an emotional resonance and remind you of where you come from.
