Met Museum and Vacheron Constantin Unveil Artworks
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vacheron Constantin debut three new pieces following an 18-month artisan residency.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Fine Art
Live Poll
Do you support private companies partnering with public museums to fund artist residency programs?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Vacheron Constantin have officially unveiled three original artworks created during a collaborative 18-month artisan residency program. The initiative encouraged artists to draw inspiration from the museum's vast historical collections.
Why it matters
The program was designed to foster artistic innovation and encourage a deeper cultural dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary practice. By utilizing the museum's archives, the residency supported the preservation and reinterpretation of historical techniques.
The residency resulted in three original works created over an 18-month development period. Participating artists drew technical influence from objects spanning from 17th-century American furniture to a 1,000-year-old water filter.
The players
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located in New York City, this institution is one of the world's largest and most significant art museums.
Vacheron Constantin
This Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is known for its long history of craftsmanship and commitment to the arts.
Aspen Golann
Aspen Golann is an artist who contributed the work titled Vessel to the exhibition.
Ibrahim Said
Ibrahim Said is an artist who created the work titled Shaping Time for the residency.
Joy Harvey
Joy Harvey is an artist who produced the work titled Ruined Splendour - BRONZE DIADEM.
The details
Artists Aspen Golann, Ibrahim Said, and Joy Harvey participated in the project, creating works titled Vessel, Shaping Time, and Ruined Splendour - BRONZE DIADEM, respectively. These artists spent the residency studying the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection to inform their creative techniques.
Timeline
The artisan residency program began in May 2025.
The three original works were officially unveiled on October 29, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project reflects a broader trend of luxury brands investing in museum-backed artisan residencies to bridge historical craft and contemporary art. It highlights how institutions and commercial entities are increasingly collaborating to preserve rare manual techniques in a digital age.
Members of the public can view the results of this residency at the museum to understand how historical artifacts influence modern creative processes. The exhibition provides attendees with direct insight into the intersection of heritage techniques and contemporary artistry.
The takeaway
The residency highlights the value of deep historical research in informing new works of art. Emerging artists can utilize institutional collections as a primary resource to revitalize traditional craft techniques in their own practices.
Further reading
Learn more about local exhibitions and creative programs in our Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Artforum.
Live Poll
Do you support private companies partnering with public museums to fund artist residency programs?
