The Art of Fiber: Islamic Art
The Davis Art Gallery is currently holding a show called The Art of Fiber. It has always interested me that fiber arts were considered a “minor art.” It is one of the oldest art forms next ...
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Curator's Corner
An Ode to Mothers: Charles White
In my ode to mothers, after Mother’s Day, I dedicate this blog to my blessed mother who passed several years ago, and my dear mother-in-law. When I think of how much grief my mother put up with ...
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Curator's Corner
Edgar Degas Early Self-Portrait
As a painter myself, I find it fascinating to watch a famous painter’s progress from early to late work. In the case of Edgar Degas (1834–1917), I’m always over the top because he is ...
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Curator's Corner
More Art in Everyday: Frank Gehry
I think one of the most fascinating areas that reflect aesthetics in everyday objects is furniture design. For a few centuries, furniture design was predicated on accommodating the human form based on ...
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Curator's Corner
Art in Everyday Continued
My abhorrence of the term “craft” has led me to make April “non-craft month.” I aim to show how there is art in everyday life. I started out two weeks ago with the beautiful wo ...
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Curator's Corner
Tribute to Elizabeth Catlett
I am interrupting my celebration of the art of everyday objects to salute a truly great American artist who died on April 2: Elizabeth Catlett. Catlett was not only a massively important figure in the ...
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Curator's Corner
An Artist in Wood: James Prestini
Have I ever indicated to you how much I despise the word “craft,” “decorative art,” or “minor art” to categorize something outside of the realm of painting-sculptur ...
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Curator's Corner
Women's History Month 2012: Navajo Weaving
To wind up Women’s History Month, I’ve brought you a work of art from women who are largely ignored by art history books: weavers. Weaving is an ancient tradition, especially among First N ...
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Curator's Corner
Women's History Month 2012: Natalija Goncharova
One of the most interesting things about Russian modernism is the number of prominent women artists. Art historians still debate why this was so. It may be because women were admitted to the Academy i ...
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Curator's Corner
Women's History Month 2012: Eva Gonzalès
Last week I featured a woman who was a member of the first generation of Japanese women admitted into art schools, the coveted guild of ceramic artists in particular. I featured a Japanese woman artis ...
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