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Slippers, China
Embroidered satin; 20th c.
Gift of Annie B. Sweet
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Permanent Collection, S-4
James Munce
Saint Francis RestoreS Neglected Church—#X, Scrubbing Floors—Homage to Stanley Spencer
Etching
97.27
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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
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Albert Bloch
Lawrence KS
Autumn Night (1934)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Bernard O. Stone and Becky Richmond
2005.37.24
I picked this because I like surprises. When I started writing about this piece, I did so without knowledge of the title. My original description began, “I love winter. Winter demands attention and punishes unpreparedness. I can’t survive it without protection. Winter makes me grateful for small things: gloves, coffee, chapstick.”
When I discovered Bloch actually named it Autumn Night, I spent the rest of the afternoon thinking about what draws me to art in the first place. Learning as much as possible about a work of visual art certainly enhances the viewing experience and gives us a broader set of tools with which to craft a response. But when all is said and done, when all the art historical stuff is set aside or the exchange of money is over, what really matters is that a work speaks to you. And I still like this painting because it reminds me of winter.
–Heather Kearns
This is described as being by "Botticelli and Studio." It's part of a larger painting which also includes the infant John the Baptist - I really like the Madonna and Child here.
Pendleton OR
Diamondback (2008)
Flax paper, waxed linen thread
Unique book
2009.32
This book is so intriguing to me because of the centuries-old traditions it brings together—papermaking, bookbinding, and basket weaving. Roberta learned this twining technique from her brother-in-law, a master weaver. She adapted the technique to work with paper and then presented it at the Guild of Book Workers conference in 2007. This sharing of knowledge is also a time-honored tradition. The student becomes the teacher, and this transfer of knowledge keeps the art form alive.
–Brea Black
2/150: Topeka’s Founders’ Cabin, photographic visiting card by Leonard & Martin, 1882. The original painting was by Henry Worrall, and is in the collection of the Kansas State Historical Society.
Avis Chitwood | Topeka, KS
"Sunflowers and Grasshopper" (No date)
Linocut
Gift of Alice McClain,Anna Davis, Althea Wallace, and Avis Greenstreet
2011.001.001
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Glenda Taylor
Topeka KS
Untitled (1988)
Ceramic
Gift of George and Lois Monto
2004.14.1
I like the unique form of this piece. It has characteristics that resemble the human body and the tan color also reflects that image. It has a modern appearance—21st century. It calls forth imagination and study.
–Joan Glotzbach, Gallery volunteer
The form and movement of this vase evokes the human form. I feel as though I am looking at the graceful curve of a woman’s back as she slowly twists. The use of glaze and the color of the clay make this form appear soft and smooth.
–Zan Popp