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February 15, 2019, SAN DIEGO, CA—CRAFTING OPPORTUNITY: Mid-Century Work from the Collection of Mingei International Museum is an exhibition of ceramics, furniture, fashion, fiber art, jewelry and metalwork from Mingei's permanent collection that explores the robust artistic output that followed World War II. The survey opens at San Diego Central Library on Saturday, May 11, with many of the selections on view for the first time. Of note, works from craftspeople such as Ellamarie Woolley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Arline Fisch, Maria Martinez, Douglas Deeds, Berta Wright, Harrison McIntosh, Kay Whitcomb, Laura Andreson, and Charles and Ray Eames will be featured.
Mid-century craft and design in America is a study in creative pluralism, a blurring of the lines between fine and applied arts, craft and production, rustic and modern, functional and conceptual. The designer-craftsman movement of the era was known for both camaraderie and individualism. For some craftspeople, universities served as incubators; other artists prospered independently.
“It was a fertile moment in craft with women and men working side by side to forge career paths. Women who had been displaced from wartime work by returning veterans could pursue a range of opportunities, whether working for themselves or in collaboration with their spouses, for a commercial enterprise or in a university setting," states Barbara Hanson Forsyth, Senior Manager of Collections and Exhibitions and curator of CRAFTING OPPORTUNITY.
A distinct sense of place—from the city of San Diego to the pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico—existed alongside domestic and international influences, and counterculture was not incompatible with commercial success for these artists. The result was a pervasive spirit of experimentation that unites this diverse collection of objects that continue to inspire and delight makers and collectors today.
About Mingei International Museum
Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures. A non-profit institution funded by individuals and community support, the Museum offers inspiring exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 100,000 visitors a year. Institutional support for Mingei International Museum is provided by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.
At the heart of Mingei are stunning exhibitions of folk art, design and craft that exude human creativity and spirit. While our Balboa Park museum is temporarily closed for a major renovation, Mingei remains open for business with pop-up exhibitions, maker events and installations happening across the region, expanding the Museum's potential for collaboration and adding new perspectives.
mingei.org
About the San Diego Public Library
With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.3 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Λ Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at sandiegolibrary.org.
Exhibition Location and Hours:
San Diego Central Library Art Gallery
3330 Park Boulevard, 9th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-5800
The Art Gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays; noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; it is closed on Mondays.
About the Curator:
Barbara Hanson Forsyth brings multiple perspectives to her curation of fine art, decorative art, folk art, design and craft. Her background includes collections management, content curation, appraisals, education, marketing and development expertise on behalf of museums, galleries and auction houses spanning Mingei to Christie’s. She holds an MA from Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture and a B.A. from Stanford University.
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