Jean Stepanov’s work revolves around taking things that are often ignored, discarded, or considered mundane and giving them a new sense of significance; attempting to elevate them in a way that invites you to stop and appreciate what might otherwise be overlooked. Through sculptures and objects, his work examines ideas of collecting, hoarding, and the way memory and experience are tied to physical things, while questioning their value..

The act of collecting things, how everyday items can take on unexpected significance over time, and how something seemingly unremarkable can become beautiful when viewed in a different context are all core principles in his work. There is also often a quiet humor in this process, playing with the idea of treating discarded items with the same care and reverence as traditional objects of value. Glass, in particular, is a recurring material, chosen both for its physical properties, and for its cultural history.

Exploration of the beauty in objects is another core principle in his work; how it is defined, where it is found, and how context changes perception, drawing inspiration from religious and ecclesiastical aesthetics, not as a reflection of faith but as a recognition of their ability to inspire awe; he reinterprets these elements through unexpected materials and subtle absurdity. His work alludes to connections between the sacred and the everyday, allowing space for a sense of wonder in the ordinary.

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