Lunar Disc I is one of the most emblematic works by British sculptor Emily Young, and its placement at the entrance to the XV Florence Biennale carries profound significance. It serves as a symbolic prologue to this year’s theme – “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design.”
The title, Lunar Disc, refers to the image of the Moon – an ancient symbol of the eternal interplay between light and darkness. The Moon does not emit its own light – it reflects that of the Sun, embodying a poetic truth – light is born out of darkness, and darkness becomes the space in which light can exist. In this sculpture, Emily Young treats stone as a living material, one that carries within it the memory of the Earth. Through form and texture, she reveals the inner luminosity of the material, merging the solidity of matter with the immateriality of light. Lunar Disc I seems to hold within it the quiet breath of the cosmos – a powerful yet tranquil reminder of the unity between nature and the human spirit. The fact that this work greets visitors at the Biennale is deeply symbolic – it stands as a gateway between light and darkness, between the ancient and the contemporary, between Earth and sky. Lunar Disc I invites contemplation on the duality of existence, on the connection between the macrocosm and the microcosm, and on the harmony of opposites that lies at the heart of all creation.
Emily Young, born in London in 1951, is widely regarded as Britain’s greatest living stone sculptor. Having studied at Chelsea School of Art, Central St Martins, and Stony Brook University in New York, she began her career as a painter before turning to sculpture in the early 1980s. Inspired by her grandmother, sculptor Kathleen Scott, a friend of Auguste Rodin, – Young creates works that unite ancient materials with contemporary vision, expressing a timeless dialogue between humanity and nature.
In the early 1980s, she began carving stone, often choosing discarded materials from abandoned quarries. This approach reflects her deep respect for the natural history and intrinsic character of the material, allowing the stone’s own qualities to guide the creative process. By working with stones that have existed for thousands or even millions of years, Young connects contemporary sculpture with the enduring legacy of the Earth, creating works that are both timeless and deeply rooted in natural history. Beyond her artistic achievements, she is a remarkably warm, open, and engaging person – qualities that reflect the same harmony and depth found in her art. I am grateful to the Biennale for the opportunity to meet Emily Young in person and to become acquainted with the work of such an extraordinary sculptor and remarkable woman.
The XV Florence Biennale, taking place from 18 to 26 October 2025, is dedicated to the theme “The Sublime Essence of Light and Darkness. Concepts of Dualism and Unity in Contemporary Art and Design.” This edition explores the primordial and eternal relationship between light and darkness – a dialogue that has fascinated philosophers, scientists, and artists from antiquity to the present day. From Heraclitus and Aristotle to Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, and Einstein, light has been seen not only as a physical phenomenon but as a universal metaphor for knowledge, creation, and life itself. The Biennale invites artists and designers from around the world to reflect on this duality – on the coexistence of illumination and shadow, harmony and contrast – and to reinterpret the timeless interplay between the cosmic and the earthly through contemporary creative expression.