Laced with History

Through May 20

Detail, Spirit House by Anna Peach (found textiles; 96" x 168" x 120" as installed at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center).

Detail, Smidge (in-progress photo) by Susie Brandt (found fabric and nylon thread; 96" x 96").

Detail, Element 121 04, by Reed Danziger (oil, pencil, shellac, and paper on wood; 20" x 20"). From the collection of Isabel Wilcox, NY.

Lacy Net by Arline Fisch (fine silver and copper-coated wire; 8" band x 19" outer diameter, collar). Photo by William Gullette.

Adored for its physical characteristics and admired for the skill of its creation, lace occupies a dynamic and compelling place within society. Well beyond its evolution (and regression) as an industry in Western Europe in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries, lace has deep cultural roots and is linked to concepts of craft, design, commerce, class, technology, and domesticity. It has become familiar—an icon, really—and as such evokes a myriad of associations.

Despite the fact that lace occupies a very different role in society today than it once did, it is still an appealing subject for many contemporary artists. Drawn to lace for a variety of reasons, they use it as a formal or theoretical starting point in order to address broad issues related to personal history and cultural memory, class and gender, the processes of making, and the relationship between form and content.

Laced with History begins with lace made by historical and contemporary lace makers and then moves to the sculptures, drawings, paintings, and jewelry of 30 contemporary artists who use or reference lace as subject and motivation. Together these artists offer a new context for understanding lace—namely, its role within contemporary art and, by extension, contemporary culture and society.

Artist(s)

Lace makers whose works are represented in this exhibition include Daniel Rusch-Fischer (AZ); Paula Harten (CA); Janice Blair, Kathy Kauffmann (IL); Susan Lambiris (NC); Nina Libin (NY); Courteney Kelley, Lisa Myers, Grace Anna Robbins (PA); and Barbara Gordon, Sandra Hauman, Debra Jenny (WI). Artists whose works are represented in this exhibition include Reed Danziger, Arline Fisch, Chris Natrop (CA); Barbara Broughel (CT); Betsy Brandt (HI); Anne Wilson, Shannon Stratton (IL); Susie Brandt, Piper Shepard (MD); Lauren Fensterstock (ME); Tracy Krumm (NC); Elaine Chow, Nancy Friedemann, Susan Graham, Aric Obrosey, Mary Preston, Donna Sharrett, Elizabeth Turk, Ursula von Rydingsvard (NY); Anya Kivarkis (OR); Merrill Mason (PA); Susan Freda, Tracy Steepy (RI); Anna Peach (Switzerland); Linda Ridgway (TX); and Beth Blahut, Marna Goldstein Brauner, Kim Cridler, Hai-Chi Jihn, Jennifer Pollock (WI).

Funding/Sponsor

Laced with History has been supported in part by The Center for Craft, Creativity, and Design in the form of a Craft Research Fund Project Grant. Additional support has been provided by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board, with funds from the State of Wisconsin. Contributions from the John Michael Kohler Arts Center's loyal corporate, foundation, and individual donors have also been vital. The Arts Center expresses its deep gratitude to all of these donors as well as to the Sheboygan County Historical Museum, The Lace Museum, and the individual artists, galleries, and private lenders who have made this exhibition possible. As always, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is grateful to its dedicated Board members, volunteers, and staff.