Masterworks of the Illinois River
October 18, 2008 - February 15, 2009
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Mother and Child: Henry Moore's West Dean Tapestries
April 12, 2008-January 11, 2009
Primarily known for his abstract monumental bronzes, modern master Henry Moore commissioned 8 tapestries to be woven at the West Dean Tapestry Studio in 1975. This exhibition will showcase both the tapestries, the drawings for which originated in the 1940's, inspired by the birth of Moore's only child, Mary. The tapestries, made from Moore's directions, represent charcoal, wax crayon, pastel, chalk and felt-tipped pen washed over with watercolor. The result is an accurate and pleasing translation of Moore's drawings interpreted in wool, cotton and silk. West Dean Studios: Director and weaver - Eva Louisse Svensson; Weavers - Dilys Stinson, Alison Innes, Valerie Power, Patricia Taylor and Diana Cameron. This is the first time the tapestries have been exhibited in the United States. Organized by the Figge Art Museum and Mary Moore.
For more information about the Henry Moore Foundation,
visit www.henry-moore-fdn.co.uk.
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When Gold Blossoms: Indian Jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection
May 31, 2008-August 24, 2008
This exhibition of 150 objects of 17th through 19th c. South Indian jewelry underscores the significance of ornamentation in Indian culture. For thousands of years jewelry has held power as a signifier in religion and society. Accessories both imbue a god with greater power and represent the devotion of the worshipper. To adorn a person is to offer him or her protection, prosperity, respect, and social definition. Gold is thought to have the power to purify those it touches and gems are thought to focus planetary influences that benefit those who wear them. Photographs from the 19th and 20th centuries will be displayes alongside the jewelry to provide fuller understanding of the ways in which jewelry is both worn and used
Organized by the Asia Society and Museum, NY; toured by American Federation of Arts
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College Invitational at the Figge
June 7 - August 31, 2008
This exhibition features over 40 works by art majors enrolled at Augustana College, Black Hawk College, Knox College, Saint Ambrose University, Scott Community College, and Western Illinois University. The faculty at each college or university selected seven artworks to represent the Art Department's program. The exhibition features various art mediums, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, metalworking, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. A binder with information about each college or university's Art department and faculty is available in the exhibition galleries.
The Figge invited the schools listed above to participate in this exhibition because the Figge and these colleges and universities have created, or are in the process of developing, major educational partnerships.
The College Invitational at the Figge is on view in the Level 1 Orientation Gallery, Community Gallery and Reading Room.
Sponsored by the Brand Boeshaar Foundation Fund.
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In the Light - Photographs from the Brent Sikkema Collection
September 13, 2008 - January 4, 2009
This exhibition from a recent gift of over 80 photographs from the Brent Sikkema collection of 20th century photography displays the unique approaches of several early and mid-20th century American photographers.
Some experimented with abstraction, light, or exposure (Carlotta Capron, György Kepes) some were early experimenters in color photography (Eliot Porter), some focused on the lyric qualities of modern dance (Barbara Morgan), others concentrated on the abstract qualities of assembled still-lives and their manipulation in the dark room (Olivia Parker), while others invented new technologies to capture on a negative what the human eye cannot (Harold Edgerton).
GALLERY TALKS
In the Light: Photographs from the Brent Sikkema Collection
The Figge recently received a gift of photographs from collector Brent Sikkema. Join us for this series of gallery talks that provide an overview to the exhibition and highlight selected photographers whose work is on display. Meet in the Level 3 Orientation Gallery.
Focus on Eliot Porter and Olivia Parker
Presented by Anna Heinemann
1:30 pm Sunday, September 28
Focus on Harold Edgerton and György Kepes
Presented by Anna Heineman
1:30 pm Sunday, October 19
Anna Heineman is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Iowa. She has been a fan of photography for years, and fervently believes one only needs a good eye--and not a good camera--to take amazing images. She is currently teaching art history and photography at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
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