This summer, TJL took a deep dive into the vibrant artistic world of Penny Morrill's new book Dreaming in Silver, a dual-language English/Spanish treatise on vintage and contemporary Mexican jewelry, with an exhibition and sale of pieces, a lecture and demonstration on the Mexican silver technique of repoussé at Brooklyn Metalworks, and a “what’s in your jewelry box?” show-and-storytelling evening with the author.
The exhibition featured a range of works, many straight from the pages of Dreaming in Silver, with an emphasis on artists and jewelers with stories that are lesser-known. Early pieces by Matilde Poulat, whose intricate and elegant folkloric work from the 1930s through the 1950s was prized by Frida Kahlo and many Hollywood luminaries was showcased alongside a Poulat-inspired Chanel necklace from 1937. A selection of brooches by Anna Morelli, a Surrealist poet and jeweler who collaborated on stunning tumbaga pieces with other artists at the time, conversed with a contemporary necklace made of goat leather and gold leaf by Francisco Toledo. Other works on view included a rare William Spratling necklace of wooden hands, surreal works by Hubert Harmon, and pre-Columbian inspired pieces by Annette Nancarrow.
On June 18th, to kick-off Open Book, we hosted a special discussion on Surrealism in Mexican Jewelry and Art between Penny Morrill, Christina De León, Associate Curator of Latino Design at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian, Design Museum, and Mary-Anne Martin, renowned expert on Latin American Art and founder of Mary-Anne Martin|Fine Art in NYC.
Pieces from the show are still available to shop via the link below.
Featuring original vintage pieces by three mid-century jewelers: Margaret de Patta, Ruth Roach and Betty Cooke and new work by four contemporary artists: Raissa Bump, Noam Elyashiv, Rebekah Frank and Gabriella Kiss. The show explores shared aspects of their craft as metalsmiths.