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Bao game players. Ghana, Asante. Brass or copper goldweight. Gift of Dr. Cotter and Jeanne Hirschberg.
*Actual Bao game in background
25/150: The Boys’ Chronicle, 1903, Published by Boys’ Industrial School (BIS) which later became the Youth Center at Topeka (YCAT), which is still in operation today in north Topeka as a juvenile detention facility. The BIS taught boys trades, including printing.
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Edward Eberle
Pittsburgh PA
The Bow is Strong (1991)
Porcelain
2006.46
When I look at this piece I feel as though I am looking at a modern interpretation of a classical Greek vase. I like the continuous scene that is played out on the body of the vase. I am intrigued by the energy and movement the artist portrayed and feel myself drawn into the image.
–Zan Popp
I like anachronism. At first look, this vessel might be mistaken for a relic from a past civilization—possibly an ancient Athenian belly amphora (a container used to hold wine or oil) discovered on an archeological dig in Greece. It’s 2500 years younger, however, and was created just a few years ago by a contemporary ceramist working in Millvale, PA (a suburb of Pittsburg). It seems out of sequence from the art-historical narrative, which I like because I don’t expect it to be from the 20th century.
–Heather Kearns
the camera has a hard time picking up the actual color of this light, which is kind of like a very light lavender. it does however accurately depict the haziness of this room. when you're standing inside, it's very hard to discern exactly how far the light is from where you're standing. you become engulfed in a sort of light-mist.
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Kathleen Winters-Myers
Macomb IL
Tic-Tac-Toe to Go (2004)
Metalwork: sterling silver, 18k gold
Topeka Competition 28
Friends of the Library Purchase Award
2007.11
What a wonderful, whimsical piece of jewelry. I love the idea of a wearable game! The piece is so well thought-out and fun.
–Zan Popp
Larry W. Schwarm
Greensburg KS
Burning Grass, Lyon County, Kansas (1994-2004)
Color photograph
2004.49
I feel a pleasing identity with the wild freedom of nature seemingly untouched by man. I can almost smell the burning grass and fresh air far above it.
–Tim Elmer, Gallery volunteer
This photograph is all energy. Literally. I fell in love with it when I saw it – it felt like I was right there in the burn.
–Sherry Best
kimono seed sister / no date
linda ganstrom (hays KS)
earthenware
friends of the library purchase award
topeka competition 21
1997.8
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Asheville NC
Spirit of the Times—4th Century (2003)
Oak, mica, bone fossil, walnut-stained handmade flax paper, linen cord, 1800s rag text paper, Ethiopian coptic binding
Unique book
2009.4
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Barbara Waterman-Peters
Topeka KS
MWS 282: The Root of All (1996)
Pastel and oil pastel on paper
Gift of the artist and Larry Peters in memory of Kendall Durst
2007.21
This piece is intense. It seems to evoke what happens in unhealthy relationships when people feel frightened and trapped. It is both terrifying and beautiful at the same time. The symbolism speaks of the “curse of Eve”—of woman as the source of sin, and the feeling that there is no escape from that curse.
Kendall Durst was a former library employee, and a collector of art and antiques.
–Sherry Best
There’s a frightening and mysterious quality in The Root of All which makes the diptych such a strong work. This work leaves me on edge. What’s going to happen next?
–Trish Nixon