Polymer Art Archive

Nancy Banks, Necklace, 2006, polymer, wire

The Mingei International Museum of Art show, “New Jewelry in a New Medium”, includes the work of 64 artists.  This exhibition evolved out of work acquired by the Mingei from Elise Winters’s Polymer Collection Project and the absorption of the Bead Museum formerly of Glendale, Arizona.  Many of the less familiar names relate to the early years of polymer exploration.

Here is the list: Continue Reading »

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Polymer, polymer clay, FIMO, Sculpey, Premo, Katoclay, Cernit?   Have you ever wondered how and why this colored, synthetic modeling material got its common name?   Prior to 1990 both artists and publications describe the material using a brand name like FIMO or polyform with a modifier such as “modeling compound”.  There is no mention of either “polymer” or “clay”.   Continue Reading »

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Pier Voulkos, Bracelet, 1995, polymer
1  3/4″ x 3″, Gift of the Bead Museum, Glendale, Arizona
Photo by Tim Siegert

“New Jewelry in a New Medium”, an exhibition of polymer art opens today on the Balboa Campus of the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, California.   The show focuses on individual beads and beaded adornments such as necklaces and bracelets.  The art work on view came to the Mingei through the efforts of Elise Winters and her Museum Collection Project and from the collection of the Bead Museum formerly in Glendale, Arizona.    This exhibition debuts both collections to the public.

“New Jewelry in a New Medium” will run from December 17, 2011 through June 17, 2012.

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Diane Dunville, Night Dream, 1998, 4″ x 7″

As the winter solstice approaches and the days get darker, the soft glow of an interior lamp is especially attractive.   Translucent polymer allows light to shine through it, inspiring a number of artists to explore the concept of illumination.   Here are several notable examples: Continue Reading »

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Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Serendipity, 2011
19”w x 13”h x 11”d
polymer, steel wire (reclaimed coat hangers)
plastic coated copper wire

Once again the Wayne Art Center’s annual Craft Forms exhibition will include a stunning work of polymer art.  Jeffrey Lloyd Dever’s Serendipity is not only included in the show but featured on the cover of the invitation to the opening on December 2, 2011.  The center, located in Wayne, PA, is presenting its 17th annual showcase of fine craft.  This year the juror is Elizabeth Agro from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Polymer artists included in prior annual shows have been Cynthia Toops, Elise Winters, Ford and Forlano and Loretta Lam.   The Craft Forms 2011 exhibit will be open through January 21, 2012.

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Elissa Farrow-Savos, How does she get herself into these messes?
2011, 13h  x 7w  x 11d
polymer, magic-sculpt epoxy, oil paint, vintage surplus army zipper

Telling a story is the heart of Elissa Farrow-Savos’ work.  Combining polymer with found objects, Farrow-Savos’ sculptures speak to the eye and the soul.   Most of her work is feminine in orientation and explores the timeless tales of women’s lives.  While her first love was figure drawing and painting, when Farrow-Savos returned to her studio after a pause for childbearing, she no longer felt satisfaction in 2D work.  Floundering, Farrow-Savos happened upon polymer and soon discovered that sculpting provided her with a new form of narration. Continue Reading »

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Sandra McCaw, Falling Leaves Necklace, 2007, 4″h x 2 1/4″w
Polymer, 23 K gold leaf, gold filled wire, glass beads

Some of the earliest polymer work done in the United States was related to the technique of caning, or constructing a pattern that remains intact through the length of a cylinder.  Many polymer artists began with cane work.  While some moved on, others became extremely skilled at creating and combining patterns. Sandra McCaw is one of the experts.   Continue Reading »

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Polymer: Journey to New Terrain, October 21-23, 2011at Wingspread

Seeing polymer exhibited in the Racine Art Museum’s elegant environment was a feast for the eyes, but the accompanying symposium, “Polymer: The Journey to New Terrain”, was like an all-you-can-eat buffet.  Beginning Friday and lasting through Sunday, attendees gobbled up plates of ideas about the current and future state of polymer art.   Topics were juicy, open ended and conversation flowed.

Here is a sampler of what was served: Continue Reading »

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The polymer art internet world has been abuzz since last weekend’s events at Racine Art Museum.  The blogs are filled with fabulous “eye-candy” from the Terra Nova exhibition, of the attendees and the gorgeous setting. For me, one of the truly historic aspects of the weekend was the breadth and depth of discussions at the Symposium. As part of our mission, Polymer Art Archive wants to share some of the “meat” of that event. Continue Reading »

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Tonight is the debut of the permanent polymer collection at the Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI.  We’re in Racine celebrating the opening of the exhibition, Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads, which continues through February 2012.  If you’re left at home, you can catch up on some reading.  At the top of our reading list is the book published by RAM to commemorate this historic event.

This 140-page hardcover is unlike any previously published book on the medium.  The first 36 pages are devoted to scholarly, historical and curatorial essays.  Each of eight boundary breaking artists is then featured in 8-10 page profiles with gorgeous photographs by Penina Meisels. A portfolio of other selections from the museum’s permanent polymer collection concludes the book.  Thanks to Dever Designs, this is unquestionably the most beautiful book ever publish about polymer art. You can preview the book on RAM’s website.  The printing is limited so don’t miss your chance to own a copy by ordering now.

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