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The exhibition includes over 30 of Margaret Brassler Kane’s bold, stylized creations in wood, stone, clay, plaster and bronze. Subjects include portrait busts, figure studies, animals and striking, large-scale bas-reliefs depicting 20th century events and prevailing social conditions. A 36-page illustrated exhibition catalogue will be available, written by Kathleen Motes Bennewitz, Curator of Exhibitions, The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich, and Linda Kim, PhD. The career of Margaret Brassler Kane spanned nearly 80 years. Over the course of her long life she received numerous awards and received critical acclaim. Her work was exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, National Academy of Design, Brooklyn Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Art Institute of Chicago and the 1929 World’s Fair. Her work was also featured at the Jacques Seligmann, Argent and Robinson galleries and at shows arranged by organizations including the Clay Club, National Sculpture Society, Brooklyn Society of Artists, National Association of Women Artists and Architectural League of New York. Margaret Brassler was born in East Orange, New Jersey, in 1909 to middle class German-Americans. Although she had enrolled in Syracuse University in 1927 to study English, she left after one semester at her father’s suggestion that she pursue her artistic interests at the Art Students League in New York. In 1930 Margaret Brassler married Arthur Ferris Kane and the couple moved into her family’s house in Brooklyn where they eventually had two children. Soon after their move, Kane joined forces with other young artists in a shared studio on 10th Street in New York City. In 1932, Kane attended classes taught by John Hovannes (1900-1973), who had embraced a new method of sculpting—carving the material directly without previous designs or models. At his studio school, Kane learned the new technique, the proper use of tools and new ways to approach sculpture as form, creating images in a fresh, thought-provoking manner. Kane’s long and prolific career was characterized by experimentation in a variety of materials and exploration of a range of subject matter, which was largely drawn from the tumultuous times in which she lived. Inspired by contemporary American life, economic and social changes, the Depression and World War II, she strove to reflect life through her sculpture. Like many artists of the 1930s, she became influenced by leftist politics, notably socialism and the labor movement. She became recognized as one the few women sculptors committed to direct carving. In 1948, Kane moved her family and studio to the 1820 Captain James Waring house on Strickland Road in Cos Cob where she lived and worked for the following 60 years. It was there that she created the most ambitious work of her career, including the second and third panels of a triptych of large-scale limewood bas-reliefs representing the dreams and achievements of mankind. The three panels combined, took 16 years to complete. As evidence of her everlasting dedication as an artist, at the time of her death at age 96, she was working on two new panels of the same size, designed to flank the original triptych. Through rare access to the artist’s estate and personal archive of photographs, records and writings, curator Kathleen Motes Bennewitz has documented the work and career of this important woman artist. A full array of related programs including a walking tour, lectures and a field trip to Kane’s foundry are also offered. For complete details, visit www.bush-holley.org and click on Education and Adult Programs. The gallery at Bush-Holley Historic Site is located at 39 Strickland Road in Cos Cob. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Sunday; 12–4 p.m. Admission to gallery, visitor center and Bush-Holley House museum is $6, $4 for seniors and students. Children under 6 and Historical Society members are free. Free admission on Tuesdays. Take I-95, exit 4. For more information, call 203-869-6899, or visit or www.bush-holley.org. © Copyright by StamfordPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of StamfordPlus.com, Stamford Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: The new Gurdon and Kathy Wattles Marine Mammal Observatory unveiled - Sep 19, 2008 - 12:36 PM Fairfield Museum’s Fall Festival, Native American style - Sep 19, 2008 - 12:35 PM Rowayton Arts Center elects new officers & board members - Sep 19, 2008 - 8:23 AM Fairfield County artists win awards in prestigious art show - Sep 19, 2008 - 1:15 AM Adult Gallery Talks and Outreach Programs at Westport Arts Center - Sep 18, 2008 - 7:23 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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