Gallery artist and world renowned enamelist, Jamie Bennett, will discuss June Schwarcz’s work in conjunction with her exhibition at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. Pioneering artist June Schwarcz (1918–2015) was one of the most innovative enamelists of the 20th century, creating a remarkably varied body of work over a career spanning more than 60 years. Her technical innovations combined with her inventive and unorthodox designs set new standards for enameling, establishing her as a leading voice in American art who influenced a new generation of artists. June Schwarcz: Invention and Variation now on view at the museum and is the first retrospective of Schwarcz’s work in fifteen years and includes nearly sixty artworks, several of which have never been publicly displayed. Bennett will discuss Schwarcz’s influence on modern enamel work including her virtuosic use of color and form. Like Schwarcz, Bennett’s work uses the enamel technique in non-traditional ways, creating forms and designs that take the medium in new directions.
Lecture
Jamie Bennett: The Work of June Schwarcz, Savvy Serendipity
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery
July 14, 2017 12-1pm
