↑ Agnieszka Kurant, Post-Fordite 6 (2020)Fossilised automotive paint, epoxy resin, powdered stone, steel
22.9 x 25.4 x 17.8 cm, Collection of Paul van Emmerick and Sigrid Vendepitte Image: Krzysztof Smaga

Detroit Agate, also known as Fordite, is a striking material created as a byproduct of the automotive industry. Layers of paint overspray accumulated and hardened on assembly lines, forming vibrant, layered patterns resembling natural geological agates. Once industrial waste, these remnants of Detroit’s automotive history are now prized for their unique beauty and connection to the city’s industrial legacy.

Artist Agnieszka Kurant incorporates industrial materials and processes into her conceptual art. Known for exploring transformation and the intersection of natural and artificial phenomena, Kurant often works with byproducts of human industry to question value, labor, and the lifecycle of materials. Her work provokes thought on how cultural and industrial artifacts shape our understanding of the environment.

Through Kurant’s art, Detroit Agate becomes a lens to examine the lasting marks we leave on the planet. It’s a poignant reminder that even waste carries the story of its time, reshaping how we think about history, industry, and our evolving relationship with nature.

Images courtesy of Kunsthal Gent. Photos by Michiel Decleene.