Martha on Nov 27 2009 | Filed under: 1998, Arnold, NWPCG, Ravensdale 1998, The Rave
Elise asked me to lead a small team of volunteers to research and write about gatherings that influenced the development of polymer as an art medium. This is the third of these posts and we hope to follow up with more. Special thanks to Meredith Arnold who organized all these materials about Ravensdale 98. Continue Reading »
Woody on Nov 20 2009 | Filed under: Newark Museum, Voulkos, Winters
This Pier Voulkos Neckpiece and 40 other polymer works were
recently acquired into the Newark Museum’s jewelry collection.
When you’re born with the name Ulysses Grant Dietz, you just might have come into this world with a penchant for leadership. Luckily for the polymer jewelry community, Ulysses turned his attention not to military or political affairs, but to a life’s mission of preserving, protecting and defending his nation’s artistic heritage. Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 13 2009 | Filed under: 2009, Dever, Ford, Forlano, SOFA, Winters
Elise Winters and Ruth Snyderman
Synderman-Works Gallery at SOFA:Chicago 2009
Visitors to SOFA:Chicago this year found polymer master works in the booths at both Snyderman-Works Gallery and Del Mano Gallery. Ruth Snyderman, owner of Snyderman-Works Gallery, was exhibiting 15 of my RUFFLE pieces along with a large group of work by Ford/Forlano. Bruce Hoffman, director of the gallery, enjoyed modeling this substantial neckpiece by Steven and David. And my new Esprit Brooches were received with heart-warming enthusiam from buyers there. Continue Reading »
Elise on Nov 06 2009 | Filed under: 2009, Dever, SOFA, Winters
Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Morning Refuge, 2009
Polymer clay, wire, thread, card stock
7.75”H x 12.5”W x 5.25” D
Both Jeff and I are exhibiting work at SOFA:Chicago this week. Pictured above is one of two teapots being shown by Del Mano Gallery. I asked Jeff to tell me a little about these pieces. Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 30 2009 | Filed under: RAM Polymer Collection, Racine Art Museum, Voulkos
Pier Voulkos, Neckpiece (detail), c. 1995 (see credits below)
As a reader of this website, you’re familiar with the “Collection Project,” our effort to put polymer art on the map and into the permanent collections of major museums throughout the nation.
In order to ensure publication of the first hardcover museum catalog on the medium, and to help underwrite a major exhibition of polymer art at the Racine Art Museum in Wisconsin, we’ve set a goal to raise $100,000.
You may have already decided to support that effort. But if you haven’t taken the time yet to write out a tax deductible check or link onto our PayPal quick donation button, we have a special incentive to offer you today. Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 23 2009 | Filed under: Bishoff, Sculpting Color, Winters
Elise Winters, Red RUFFLE Ruche, 2009
polymer, acrylic
8 x 9 x 1″, promised gift, Newark Museum
My artist’s statement read:
“Concern for color and light has followed me through every phase of my artistic career. Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 16 2009 | Filed under: Dustin, Fuller Craft Museum, Sculpting Color
Kathleen Dustin, Allium Pod, 2008
3’h x 3’w x 9”d
Polymer clay
Kathleen commented:
“To fulfill it’s educational mission, The Fuller Craft Museum likes to have pieces that people can touch included in their exhibitions, and I allowed them to use my table sculpture, “Allium Pod” for this purpose in the exhibition “Sculpting Color: Works in Polymer Clay”. The sculpture is 28” long, 8” in diameter and the museum made a small stand to secure it to the pedestal so people wouldn’t cause it to roll off when touching. They also provided white gloves for patrons to put on before touching.” Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 09 2009 | Filed under: Diffendaffer, Gozonar, McCambly, Sculpting Color
Grant Diffendaffer, Cosmic Ray, 2009
Polymer clay, poplar, thread, rod, glue
3 x 12 x 6″
Grant wrote about his pieces saying:
These pieces are relics of my engagement with the era of Raygun Gothic design. Come with me as we go back to the future as it was imagined in the first part of the 20th century - remember when anything was possible as humankind set its sights on the stars - and chuckle at our naivete! I hope this work brings you pleasure as you remember the promised future that never arrived, and inspire you to imagine with hope the future that still can be attained. Continue Reading »
Elise on Oct 02 2009 | Filed under: Dustin, Ford, Forlano, Hughes, Sculpting Color, Zimmerman
Steven Ford & David Forlano, Char, 2002
Wood, polymer clay, magnets, steel, sterling silver,
21.5 x 13 x 5″
The Curator’s Statement for Sculpting Color currently at the Fuller Craft Museum reads:
“Unlike any other materials in fine craft, polymer clay has no ancient history, no millennium as a utilitarian art form, no past masters from which to draw inspiration or technical expertise. And unlike any other material, the artist often works directly with color in their hands: mixing color; blending color; squeezing color; pinching different colors into patterns; sculpting color - all without tools. However, when tools are used, they are simple, many of which were easily adapted from kitchen equipment. Originally, techniques were drawn from other media, including hot glass, natural clay, and metal, but today there is a high level of technical innovation specific to polymer clay based on this intrinsic property of color. The artists chosen for this exhibition have developed these techniques, use them in a masterful way, and express a strong personal vision through sculpted color.”
Kathleen Dustin shared some further thoughts about the show: Continue Reading »
Elise on Sep 25 2009 | Filed under: Racine Art Museum
Racine Art Museum, Racine, Wisconsin
I hear a phrase ringing in my ears: “Yes, we can!” It’s not Barak Obama’s voice I’m channeling, but my own silent incantations. As of today, I’m attempting to build a grassroots movement of our own, a coming together of polymer art advocates who gather at this site for what we might think of as a community organization project. Continue Reading »