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American Craft Museum , New York City
The artists donated MyGalaxy, in 1993. The Art Vessel was
included in the
European tour, Craft Today USA, and is on display in
the Gallery.
Erie Art Museum , Erie, Pennsylvania
Three Art Vessels were purchased by Jack Lenor Larsen for The Tactile
Vessel
collection in 1988. In addition to a Torrey Pine vessel, a three palm
vessel,
and a sea grass vessel were chosen.
Arkansas Arts Center- Decorative Arts Museum , Little
Rock
Three Art Vessels in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford M. Besser
were donated
in 1995 as part of a gift of fifty-one Òart basketsÓ. It is a
representative body of
works by the major artists in the field.
Wustum Museum of Fine Arts , Racine, Wisconsin
An Art Vessel from the Fiber Individualist Exhibition was purchased
as gift to the
permanent collection in 1985 by the friends of Mary Ann Naczinski as
a memorial.
Sheldon Art Museum , Lincoln, Nebraska
Fine Arts Museum of the South , Mobile, Alabama
Jack Lenor Larsen , Author, Designer, New York City
Purchased many works since the 1970s.
World famous textile designer with major individual exhibition at the
Lourve.
Fritz Scholder , Arizona and New Mexico
Purchased at Scottsdale Arts Center Show in 1981.
Native American artist and one of AmericaÕs leading painters.
Clare Boothe Luce , Hawaii
Purchased from Following Sea Gallery, Hawaii in 1983.
Her career spans the greater part of this century, and extends
over
wide-ranging fields, from the world of magazine journalism
to theater to politics and diplomacy.
Sen-ei Ikenobo , Headmaster, Ikebana school, Japan
Gift from La Jolla Ikebana Society in 1982.
Bjorn Windbland , Rosenthal Designer, Denmark
Purchased from a gallery in Switzerland in 1982.
Edo de Waart , Conductor
Wedding gift from San Francisco Symphony in1987.
Return to rare materials
American Crafts: A Source Book for the Home by Katherine
Pearson,
published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1983
Architectural Digest , ÒNear the Wharf... In San FranciscoÓ, March, 1982
Vogue, ÒSplendor in Crafts-Barbara RockefellerÓ, Sept, 1983
Town & Country, Art & Antiques: ÒTable dÕArtÓ , June, 1985
Creative Ideas for Living, A Life In Crafts: ÒFine Artistry In Natural BasketsÓ , August, 1985
Metropolis, ÒThe Evolving BasketÓ , June, 1989
Southwest Art, ÒBest of the WestÓ , December, 1993
American Craft Museum, Appointment Calendar , 1988
The Year of American Craft Desk Diary, published by Harry
C. Abrams, 1993
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Both Francina and Neil were initially (are continually) attracted to the coiled fiber process by the repetitive rhythmic sequence utilizing locally abundant natural fibers. The vessel form, with its inner space protected by a thin walled outer surface, suggested seemingly endless variations in form/pattern/color.
Construction from many individual natural elements in which structure defines decoration aptly satisfies their creative impulse. This pure structural simplicity is described by the helix, a universal mathematical principle underlying galaxies as well as DNA. A basket created from a continuous helical coil of fibers represents a personal crystallization of space and time. Surprise-- whether elation or disappointment always awaits the completed work.
The sense of place, and renewal of the seasons learned from yearly gathering and harvesting shape their way of life. To create positive expressions with ones life energy is a joyful enterprise. Neil now sees basketry as a metaphor for discipline and order in their lives during these chaotic times.
24 February 1988
Prepared for exhibition of the permanent collection of
contemporary American baskets, Erie Art Museum, August 1988.
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The collection of vessel forms exhibited in the reception area of Philip MorrisÔ New York Headquarters display the imagination and skill of American artists working in the craft media. Each work shows a unique approach to the container form. The techniques used in these works of glass blowing, woodturning, basketry and metal casting continue traditions that are thousands of years old, and which have become a vital area of artistic expression today. (Tectonic Dance, 1989 is included in this permanent collection. )
The artists here were also represented in CRAFT TODAY: Poetry of the Physical, and exhibition sponsored by Philip Morris and organized by the American Craft Museum. This major exhibition toured the United States, and a similar exhibition, Craft Today USA, is visiting twelve European countries as a cultural presentation of the United States.
With this display of objects from our permanent collection, Philip Morris continues is celebration of the arts and their ability to renew our lives.