In the 19th century, the arts and crafts movement, among other groups, attempted to bridge the gap between the fine and applied arts, but with little success. Since the 1960s, ceramics, glasswork, metalwork, textiles, and other industrial arts have enjoyed a resurgence in practice and a newfound respect. This has been due in large part to the work of women artists, many of whom see the subservient position of crafts to the fine arts as reflecting their own social and political status. While the gulf between the fine and applied arts has not been entirely bridged, lately, crafts have come into their own. The exhibition features 120 objects by 30 contemporary artists in a wide variety of media, including glass, wood, metal, fiber, paper, leather, basketry, and wax.
Some objects are simple and unpretentious, while others are elaborate and ornate.
All are able to perform some utilitarian service while also displaying artistic qualities of beauty, invention, and masterful technique. These qualities are readily seen in the elegant ceramic tea bowls of Catherine Hiersoux, the hand-tooled leather box by J. Todd Barber, and the imaginative, slightly whimsical silverware of Deborah Jermmott. Among other featured work are baskets by Kari L nning, textiles by Ellen Kochansky, furniture by Peter Maynard, porcelain by Eric L. Jensen, and functional sculpture by Tom Torren. This exhibition is being curated by Robert Logan and Robert Cugno, directors of the Media Gallery in Garnett, Kansas. Previous contemporary craft exhibitions organized by Media Gallery, including two listed in this catalog, have been among the most popular we have offered.