(PRWEB) March 29, 2006 -- Still kickin' up sawdust, Pamela Weir-Quiton -- one of the few female wood artists to emerge in the mid-20th century studio craft movement -- brings a Show and Sale of some of her most iconic works to Philadelphia's Moderne Gallery in spring 2006.
FUNctional WOOD SCULPTURE - 1965-2005, Vintage and Contemporary Works by Pamela Weir-Quiton, will be on display from Saturday, April 1 through Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Moderne Gallery, 111 N. Third Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. 215-923-8536 or
www.modernegallery.com. The exhibit is one of the opening events of Design Philadelphia, the citywide design celebration taking place April 1-9, 2006.
The Moderne Gallery FUNctional Wood Sculpture Show and Sale gives an East Coast audience the opportunity to enjoy the range of work of this ever-young California wood artist, and to meet her in person at a "FUN" Opening Reception on Saturday, April 1 - from 12 to 6 -- in the Gallery. See
www.pamelaweir-quiton.com.
Featuring both animal and people figures, the FUNctional Wood Sculpture 1965-2005 exhibit captures the whimsical yet practical spirit for which Pamela Weir-Quiton is so well-known. Ella the little elephant takes the form of bookends. Another Ella is a file cabinet that opens when her ears are up. This special piece, with maple body and purpleheart eyes, was shown at the Wharton Esherick Museum in 2005.
Lambs and buffaloes and rhinos also are crafted into sculptural storage boxes. Dolls of various sizes and shapes are sometimes strictly tabletop artworks, but sometimes chests of drawers. These include the polka-dot "Big Mama," "God-Us" and "Ven-Us," and a Fashion Award doll. A highly polished rocking horse appeals to adults as well as kids.
"Everything on display is sure to bring a smile, as well as admiration for the artist's imagination and fine craftsmanship," said Robert Aibel, owner/director of Moderne Gallery.
Known as a pioneering wood artist who was always interested in fabric, fashion and beautiful form, Pamela Weir-Quiton brings a playful California outlook to her superb craftsmanship. She works with colorful and fascinating combinations of woods that include maple, Brazilian rosewood, walnut, ebony, wenge and purpleheart, as well as a variety of other hardwoods.
Over the years Weir-Quiton has exhibited in galleries and museums, banks and major department stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills and Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. She has created commissions for architect Frank Gehry at the Hollywood Bowl, for Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, and for Philadelphia's Strawbridge & Clothier, among many others. Her life-size animal playgrounds, with racing animals, cows, and tigers just perfect for climbing, were enjoyed by children for over 25 years in California malls. She currently maintains her professional studio in Venice, CA.
Moderne Gallery is internationally renowned for its high quality, vintage 20th century furniture, lighting and accessories. More than 16,000 square feet on four floors of its historic "warehouse" building in the Old City section of Philadelphia are filled with an extensive inventory - from French and American Art Deco and French 1940's - 1950's to exclusive Wharton Esherick pieces and the best selection of 1950's-1980's work of George Nakashima. The gallery is also known for "discovering" and presenting fine studio craft artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Moderne Gallery is located at 111 N. Third Street, in Old City, Philadelphia, PA. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm. Call 215-923-8536 or visit
www.modernegallery.com for further information.
