A major part of Sherburne’s professional practice and academic research has been focused on exploring the relationship between conceptual art and the contemporary design practice. The term “Conceptual Use Object” relates to the artifacts produced through the cross-disciplinary explorations of art and design. The objects are created using methodologies associated to the design industry and have a functional or utilitarian use in society. Drawing heavily on the explorations of the ready-made or assisted ready-made in art, these objects use the semiotic meanings associated to their role as functional objects as a mechanism for critical inflection and to invite inquiry into multiple conceptual quandaries. “Conceptual use objects” can challenge the expectations of typical product design and engage the end user in new and unexpected ways often raising awareness of issues surrounding consumption, material choices, excessive restylization, function and social purpose.
The following products are a few of Sherburne's explorations into the meanings behind products. Some are more serious and some more fun but in general they all have a sense of humor.