Well Gate
The refill she refused
Well Gate
Containment SeriesLimited to 7 pieces worldwide. No two pieces alike.
A 60×60cm square board painted rust, lined with gold thread. At the center: fifteen antique brass nails forming a perfect 15cm circle—the well's edge. Inside sits a flat velvet black void, untouched. Seventeen orange cotton strands wrapped around double jute rope cascade outward from each nail like water overflowing, deliberately frayed at the ends.
Outside the circle, scattered across the rust base: twelve gold-wrapped beads—the refills she refused. The help sitting right there. Denied entry.
The overflow strands catch light (glossy varnish). The black well stays raw and matte. The contrast is violent: pouring overflow, rejected refills, empty center.
- 60×60cm wooden board base, rust acrylic coating
- Gold metallic thread grid overlay
- Fifteen antique bronze brass nails (15cm circle formation)
- Velvet black fabric center (flat, untouched)
- Orange cotton + double jute rope strands (17 total)
- Twelve gold-wrapped wooden beads (3-4mm)
- Glossy varnish on overflow strands only
- Raw matte finish on well center
2cm depth, 1.8-2kg. Ready to hang.
- Rust base hand-painted and sealed
- Gold thread laid by hand in precise grid pattern
- Fifteen brass nails hammered at exact intervals to form circle
- Each rope strand wrapped individually with orange cotton
- Frayed ends controlled but intentionally wild
- Twelve beads hand-wrapped in metallic gold thread
- Glossy varnish applied selectively to overflow strands
- Black velvet center inlaid flat and sealed
18-22 hours of hand labor. Each piece unique in the overflow pattern.
7 pieces worldwide. Once sold, this edition will not be remade. No two pieces alike.
Editions 2-3: €350
Editions 4-6: €400
Edition 7: €420
Edition 1: €350 SOLD
Each includes: Signed certificate of authenticity, care instructions, pattern diagnosis card (Well Gate explanation).
What You're Looking At
The black center is the depletion. The void you've poured yourself into. Completely emptied. The overflow is your generosity—still pouring even though you have nothing left to pour. And those twelve gold beads scattered outside the circle? That's every offer you refused. The help you waved away. The money you didn't take. The person who said, "Let me carry this." And you said no.
The well gate stays locked because you decided long ago that refilling was weakness. That asking for help meant you weren't built for what you claimed to build. So you overflow. You keep pouring from an empty well. The beads never move. They sit there. Right there. Waiting.
Hang this where you work. When you feel the familiar pull to give more than you have, look at the black center. Look at the gold beads you refused. Then ask yourself: How much longer am I going to pour from a well that's been dry for years?
Questions?
Reach out before you decide. I want to know which edition calls you.