100 Candleholders

January 17–March 28, 2026

Blunk Space is proud to present 100 Candleholders, the second iteration of our ‘100’ series, inspired by JB Blunk's 1981 exhibition 100 Plates Plus, in which he playfully pushed the boundaries of one of his most prolific forms, both visually and in terms of functionality. This group exhibition will feature over 100 esteemed artists from around the world, each responding to the same brief: to create a candleholder of any material inspired by JB Blunk’s work or the Blunk House.

“Though he often made plates in a strictly utilitarian way, for my family’s daily use in our home, his constant iteration on the form became a springboard for creating sculptures,” explains Mariah Nielson, Director of the JB Blunk Estate and Blunk Space. “As with 100 Hooks, the first iteration in the series, we're excited to see the breadth and depth of artist responses to something seemingly so humble and overlooked.”

Candleholders, though often decorative centerpieces, remain utilitarian: they are designed to protect surfaces, elevate light, attach it to walls, or make it portable. Blunk made candleholders throughout his life, combining material, form, and function with playful restraint—sometimes emphasizing the simplicity of his materials, other times exploring sculptural possibilities. For 100 Candleholders, each artist brings a distinct perspective on materials, form, process, and their own balance between aesthetics and function.