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The following article appeared in WPA Press, Vol. 17, Summer 2003
TRIP REPORT: AN EXHIBIT OF PICASSO CERAMICS AT THE PAINE MUSEUM,
OSHKOSH After noticing an article in the newspaper that the Paine Museum in Oshkosh was hosting a traveling exhibit on the Ceramics of Pablo Picasso, March 16–June 8 2003, we decided to take a trip to Oshkosh to indulge ourselves with a little culture, not to mention a few (antique) malls. We found the Paine Museum on Algoma Blvd. and were pleasantly surprised by the ceramics exhibit, the beautiful mansion built by lumber baron Nathan Paine and the many wonderful art objects in the museum’s permanent collection. There were 50 Picasso ceramics pieces on exhibit, including plates, large vessels and wall plaques. Treating the vessel as a canvas, his pieces showed the same distortions of imagery as his paintings but cast in clay with painting enhancing the effect. His clay creations are as difficult to describe as his paintings—one must see them to fully appreciate their uniqueness. There was also a 1.5 hour video of his life, which we appreciated as it helped us understand the man and his work better. But not well enough to be able to understand his art and explain it to others. (Our own preference would be a Mae Timberlake Weller Scenic Hudson.) In the way of a little background, in 1946, while attending a pottery exhibition in Vallauris in the south of France, Picasso met the proprietors of the Madoura ceramics workshop. After observing the potters at work, Picasso sat down and created his first three figures. Excited by the combination of drawing, painting and sculpture that was ceramics, Picasso returned to the Madoura workshop every year thereafter, eventually making over 3,500 pieces. Hundreds of these pieces were turned into edition pieces, made in multiples of 25–500. These editions are so enthusiastically collected that even the smallest pieces today sell for more than $100,000. The Paine Museum has a permanent small collection of Oshkosh native Helen Farnsworth Mears bronze sculptures and one of her Edgerton Art Clay Works plaques. Helen Farnsworth Mears was an internationally famous sculptress who is best known locally for her work for the Edgerton Art Clay Works. The Paine’s permanent collection contains works by Corot, Rosseau, Whistler, Durer and Homer. It is housed in a magnificent English Tudor mansion built 1927–1947. The furnishings and gardens are also a work of art. Not to be missed on your next trip to the Fox River Antique Mall. Editor’s Note: The Paine Art Center and Gardens is located at: 1410 Algoma Blvd. Oshkosh, WI Please visit their website for hours & admission prices http://www.paineartcenter.com/ . |
