California Masters: State of the Arts

California Masters: State of the Arts is an exhibition of twelve preeminent artists from across California who exemplify leadership in contemporary craft. Two artists, one from the South and one from the North of the state, were chosen to represent each of six primary craft disciplines: fiber, ceramics, wood, glass, metals, and alternative materials.  The resulting group of works highlights innovation and technical rigor while speaking to a uniquely California context. Each of these artists has been a professor or luminary within their field, and has thereby influenced the current generation of handmade producers in this state.

California Masters was on view at the Craft in America Center in West Hollywood from July 11-October 3, 2015. The exhibition includes the following artists: Tanya Aguiñiga, Julie Chen, Marilyn da Silva, Katherine Gray, Marvin Lipofsky, Wendy Maruyama, Laura Mays, Steven Portigal, Sandy Simon, Christina Smith, Carol Shaw-Sutton, and Consuelo Jimenez Underwood.

This exhibition is presented in conjunction with California Handmade: State of the Arts, curated by Craft in America Center Director Emily Zaiden in collaboration with, and on view at, the Maloof Foundation for Arts and Craft in the foothills of Alto Loma, CA.  For this exhibition, the twelve core artists (represented in California Masters) were asked to recommend six colleagues in their field, currently working and living in California, resulting in a historically important snapshot of the state of California craft today.

  • Carol Shaw-Sutton, The Bridge, 1998. Lashed willow and linen.
    Carol Shaw-Sutton, The Bridge, 1998. Lashed willow and linen.
  • Marvin Lipofsky, California Color Series 1986 #7, 1986. Mold blown glass, cut, sandblasted, acid etched
    Marvin Lipofsky, California Color Series 1986 #7, 1986. Mold blown glass, cut, sandblasted, acid etched
  • Marvin Lipofsky, California Color Series 1986 #7, (detail), 1986. Mold blown glass, cut, sandblasted, acid etched
    Marvin Lipofsky, California Color Series 1986 #7, (detail), 1986. Mold blown glass, cut, sandblasted, acid etched
  • Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee, 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
    Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee, 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
  • Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee (detail), 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
    Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee (detail), 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
  • Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee (detail), 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
    Tanya Aguiñiga, Round Hammock Settee (detail), 2012. Steel rod, leather, cotton rope
  • Sandy Simon, Bull Jar, 2014. Red earthenware, porcelain slip, glaze, nichrome wire, thrown
    Sandy Simon, Bull Jar, 2014. Red earthenware, porcelain slip, glaze, nichrome wire, thrown
  • Marilyn da Silva, Silent Journey, 2014. Copper, brass, wood, gesso, colored pencil. Courtesy of Mobilia Gallery. M. Lee Fatherree photograph
    Marilyn da Silva, Silent Journey, 2014. Copper, brass, wood, gesso, colored pencil. Courtesy of Mobilia Gallery. M. Lee Fatherree photograph
  • Marilyn da Silva, Silent Journey, 2014. Copper, brass, wood, gesso, colored pencil. Courtesy of Mobilia Gallery. M. Lee Fatherree photograph
    Marilyn da Silva, Silent Journey, 2014. Copper, brass, wood, gesso, colored pencil. Courtesy of Mobilia Gallery. M. Lee Fatherree photograph
  • Steven Portigal, Nature Morte Rouille, 2013. Clay
    Steven Portigal, Nature Morte Rouille, 2013. Clay
  • Katherine Gray, Hearth Half Life, 2014. Solid uranium glass
    Katherine Gray, Hearth Half Life, 2014. Solid uranium glass
  • Christina Y. Smith, Califor-Onely, 2015. Sterling silver fabricated brooch
    Christina Y. Smith, Califor-Onely, 2015. Sterling silver fabricated brooch
  • Wendy Maruyama, Mirror Mirror, 2007. Pau Ferro, bloodwood, 2-way mirror, video components
    Wendy Maruyama, Mirror Mirror, 2007. Pau Ferro, bloodwood, 2-way mirror, video components
  • Wendy Maruyama, Mirror Mirror, 2007. Pau Ferro, bloodwood, 2-way mirror, video components
    Wendy Maruyama, Mirror Mirror, 2007. Pau Ferro, bloodwood, 2-way mirror, video components
  • Laura Mays, Ample, 2015. Stave/coopered Ash, Narra, upholstery, shellac finish
    Laura Mays, Ample, 2015. Stave/coopered Ash, Narra, upholstery, shellac finish
  • Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
    Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
  • Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
    Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
  • Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft. California Masters
    Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
  • Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
    Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, Las 4 Xewum (undocumented), (detail), 2014. Linen warp, silk, linen weft
  • Julie Chen, Family Tree, 2013. California Masters, Process, Craft in America
    Julie Chen, Family Tree, 2013. Digital printing and laser engraving on wood
  • Julie Chen, Family Tree, 2013. California Masters, Process, Craft in America
    Julie Chen, Family Tree, (detail), 2013. Digital printing and laser engraving on wood

Photos by Madison Metro

 

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