Earl Pardon
Bracelet, 1951
Sterling silver, ebony, ivory, brass, and copper
Collection of Earl Pardon Estate
Photography: Murray Riss, Memphis, TN
Earl Pardon: Palette Maestro
April 13 – August 10, 2008
at Racine Art Museum
Organized by Rosanne Raab, Curator/Lecturer at Craft + Design, this colorful exhibition presents a career survey of the work of internationally respected American metalsmith Earl Pardon from the 1950s through the 1990s. Pardon was a major contributor to the rise of American studio jewelry in the second half of the 20th century. This show brings together wearable pieces and hollowware to trace his career-long interests in color and design in metal.
Trained formally as a painter, Pardon is best known for jewelry that incorporates rich colors in both enameled metal surfaces and colored gemstones. He is often credited for playing a significant role in the revival of the art of enameling, as well as introducing enamel as a design element in industry.
Pardon served in World War II and then attended the Memphis Academy of Art for his undergraduate degree in painting and his initial training in metalsmithing. After graduating in 1951, he joined the faculty of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he remained an influential art professor until his retirement in 1988. He also served as chair of the art department from 1968 until 1977. In his varied career, he also served as Assistant Director of Design for Towle Silversmiths in the 1950s and a consultant for Old Newbury Crafters in Massachusetts from 1960 to 1969.
More About the Exhibition
Earl Pardon: Palette Maestro
April 13 – August 10, 2008
at Racine Art Museum
Earl Pardon
Bracelet, 1951
Sterling silver, ebony, ivory, brass, and copper
Collection of Earl Pardon Estate
Photography: Murray Riss, Memphis, TN
Organized by Rosanne Raab, Curator/Lecturer at Craft + Design, this colorful exhibition presents a career survey of the work of internationally respected American metalsmith Earl Pardon from the 1950s through the 1990s. Pardon was a major contributor to the rise of American studio jewelry in the second half of the 20th century. This show brings together wearable pieces and hollowware to trace his career-long interests in color and design in metal.
Trained formally as a painter, Pardon is best known for jewelry that incorporates rich colors in both enameled metal surfaces and colored gemstones. He is often credited for playing a significant role in the revival of the art of enameling, as well as introducing enamel as a design element in industry.
Pardon served in World War II and then attended the Memphis Academy of Art for his undergraduate degree in painting and his initial training in metalsmithing. After graduating in 1951, he joined the faculty of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he remained an influential art professor until his retirement in 1988. He also served as chair of the art department from 1968 until 1977. In his varied career, he also served as Assistant Director of Design for Towle Silversmiths in the 1950s and a consultant for Old Newbury Crafters in Massachusetts from 1960 to 1969.
More About the Exhibition
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
Anonymous
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
Ron and Judith Isaacs
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
David Charak
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Dave’s Wine Garage
Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow
Sheri and Frank Sullivan
Wisconsin Arts Board
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Susan Boland
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Carol Griseto
Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo
Hitter’s Baseball
Debbie and Chuck Hoffman
Susan and Dan Horton
Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart
Paula Kalke
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
Rita Petretti
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Twin Disc
Marc J. Wollman
Amy and Robb Woulfe
Media Sponsor
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