death and life
solo exhibition at useful objects, melbourne - 2025

useful objects welcomes dean toepfer to melbourne for his debut solo exhibition, death and life, and the launch of a new range of objects, lighting, and mirrors created using reclaimed synthetic parachute silk. 

inspired by this potent textile, once arresting the fall of a person plummeting to earth, and now a waste product, the exhibition reflects his commitment to exploring the life cycles of materials and his belief in their capacity for renewal and reinvention. through a meticulous journey of design and craft, dean breathes new life into this discarded fabric, creating luminous sculptural forms that seamlessly merge functionality with poetic resonance. 

the resulting objects are both collectible art and functional design pieces, intended for homes or commercial environments. they are colourful pieces to live with, while inviting reflection on the role their material has played in the lives of others.  parachute silk, with its history of bearing lives and ensuring safety, embodies a compelling narrative of strength and impermanence. once vital, the material eventually expires, becoming unfit for its original purpose. 

toepfer comments: 
by reclaiming and transforming the silk, I am drawing parallels between the life cycle of materials and the human experience of endings and beginnings. the discarded fabric is reborn, offering a visual meditation on metamorphosis, resilience, and renewal. 

for toepfer, this exhibition is more than material exploration; it represents a deeply introspective journey. it reflects his evolving perspective on life’s transitions, both personal and universal. the death of loved ones, the end of relationships, and the fading of ideas or dreams can leave behind profound loss and uncertainty. yet, as toepfer suggests, these endings often serve as catalysts for growth and reinvention. through death and life, dean toepfer crafts an exhibition and a poignant reminder of the power of change, the inevitability of cycles, and the quiet beauty of rebirth. 

photo credit: dylan james