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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Curator's Corner
A Great Tradition Endures: Shoko Koike
As I’ve written before, ceramic arts in Japan are among the oldest on Earth, dating back to the Jomon Culture (dates to ca. 11000 BCE, flourished ca. 3000 – 200 BCE). The reason I bring up ...
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Curator's Corner
African American History Month 2012: Robert Duncanson
In recent weeks, we have explored African American artists who were self-taught, and one who is contemporary and explores the background of black people in American culture. This week we will explore ...
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Curator's Corner
African American History Month 2012: William T. Williams
We’ve discussed self-taught art, nineteenth-century academic art, and contemporary issue-oriented art in relation to African American History Month. Let’s now talk about black art that has ...
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Curator's Corner
African American History Month 2012: Glenn Ligon
During the Harlem Renaissance (ca. 1919–1939), African American artists encouraged each other to document the black experience in the United States. This included uplifting scenes of Afric ...
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Curator's Corner
African American History Month 2012: Minnie Evans
There are many artists whose name is not a household word. That is particularly true for women, and African Americans. Additionally, artists who are self-taught and have a unique vision aside from mai ...
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