Motorcade by Catharni Stern, Bronze, Metal, Unique, 24 cm (H) × 82 cm (W) × 31 cm (D)

Motorcade by Catharni Stern is a unique bronze sculpture that captures the theatricality and spectacle of public life. Stretching over 80 cm in length, the work presents a lively scene of a motorcar in procession, complete with figures, attendants, and onlookers.

At the heart of the composition sits a man and woman in the rear of the motorcar, their gestures unmistakably regal. The lady, distinguished by her large, sweeping hat, raises her hand in a poised wave, while her companion acknowledges the crowd beside her. Their elevated posture and serene expressions suggest a sense of status, ceremony, and performance.

Around them, the bustle of the scene unfolds: spectators cluster along the sides, leaning forward with curiosity, some appearing to take photographs, small but telling details that bring the moment to life. Two motorbikes follow closely behind, echoing the role of security escorts and further underscoring the sense of official importance.

Cast in bronze, Stern’s work has both weight and movement. The elongated form of the sculpture allows the eye to travel across the procession, observing its many small interactions and contrasts, authority and admiration, glamour and ordinariness, pageantry and watchfulness. While the figures are stylised, their gestures are immediately recognisable, capturing the universal language of parades and public appearances.

Motorcade is at once a playful and incisive exploration of celebrity, power, and the ways people gather to witness and participate in public spectacle. Unique in both execution and subject, the work reflects Stern’s ability to tell stories through sculptural narrative, weaving together people, vehicles, and symbolism into a scene that feels both specific and timeless.