Dragonfly II (Bracelet), 2010.
Polymethyl methacrylate, pearls, crushed
pearls, amethyst, gold leaf, oxidized silver,
5 1/2 x 4 5/8 x 3 1/4 inches. Photo: Sid Hoeltzell. ©Petra Zimmermann
Congratulations to the Lowe Art Museum literally for a jewel of an exhibit that’s on now until September 14. It’s A Collector’s Journey: Susan Grant Lewin and the Art Jewelry World which has been traveling the country. A visit makes for a perfect summer foray. No surprise the exhibit is most iikely unlike anything you’ve seen in the US except if go to the Museum of Arts and Design, a favorite, in New York. The Collection covers Lewin’s four decades of collecting rings, necklaces, brooches, and bracelets from artists all over the world, over 60 represented here. Works are wearable, and many serve as unique adornment, but some are conceptual and about sculpture. Here’s a look at what’s in store, a selection from the 84 pieces on display.
But first, something about Susan Grant Lewin. Lewin began acquiring works when she traveled for House Beautiful, working as architecture and design editor. While writing about Scandinavian furniture she purchased her first piece at Georg Jensen and that launched her collecting career. Then came her growing recognition as an interviewer, writer and critic. She was truly launched with publication of her book “One of a Kind: American Art Jewelry Today” in 1994. She started with American artists, but then went on to expand her works to international artists. Underlying her choices has been her embrace of unconventional concepts, materials and forms. The materials used in the works are sometimes fine metals and gem stones, but more likely, unusual materials, from nature, man made, discarded, recycled, you get the picture. I have indicated the materials used in each of the works.
Ring from the Cardboard series, 2015.
Yellow gold, white gold staple,
28 1 x 1 x 3/4 inches. Photo: Sid Hoeltzell. ©David Bielander
Chimerum Jewelry, Nereid Collar from the “Spirit
of Water” series, 2018. Aluminum grounding wire,
electrical insulation tubing, aluminum,
14 x 12 1/2 x 1 7/8 inches. Photo: Sid Hoeltzell. ©Ian Henderson
Formica Fish (Bracelets), 1986. ColorCore®, paint.
Left to right: 4 7/8 x 7 1/4 x 1/16 inches, 4 x 5 5/8 x
1/16 inches, 2 7/8 x 7 3/8 x 1/16 inches,
4 x 7 3/8 x 1/16 inches. Photo: Sid Hoeltzell. ©Arline Fisch
Hang On #2 (Neckpiece), 2018. Zinc, plastic,
nylon thread, acrylic paint, varnish,
17 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 1/2 inches. Photo: Sid Hoeltzell. ©Lucy Sarneel
Click here to reserve tickets!
The Lowe Art Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It offers free general admission thanks to the generosity of Beaux Arts. For more information about current exhibits, click here.
There’s (limited) street parking and a garage nearby.
Combine a visit with lunch at one of the prime spots in Coral Gables offering lunch specials. For my picks, click here.
One Response
Amazing!
Thank you Karen for the gift of wonderful opportunities that we would never know about without you.