Linda MacNeil. Jewels of Glass

Linda MacNeil is one of the leading American jewellery artists of the second half of the twentieth century. Her sophisticated compositions are distinguished through her masterly use of glass: within them line, colour and light achieve a harmonious equilibrium. MacNeil’s works, however, are not just pure exhibition pieces: for only once her necklaces and brooches are worn on the body do they develop their full aesthetic vitality and engage in dialogue with it.

MacNeil has always integrated current trends from the fine arts, architecture and design as much as she does inspiration from historical paradigms - from Egyptian art right up to Art Deco. Her designs from this time never serve as concrete examples, yet the elegance of Art Deco luxury is often felt in her works - albeit with a touch of postmodern irony: courtesy of the dominant use of cut, polished and mirrored glass, the diamond is assigned the role of a supporting cast member, and in doing so the traditional hierarchy of materials based on how precious they are is turned on its head.

The origins of Linda MacNeil’s art jewellery lie in the American Studio Jewelry movement of the 1970s, a branch of the Studio Craft movement that also included furniture, textiles, ceramics, glass and metal. At the Rhode Island of Design, in particular, the young student immersed herself in a stimulating environment where some of the most renowned protagonists of the movement were exploring the technical and creative boundaries of glass and jewellery. In a career spanning forty years, Linda MacNeil has created more than 700 necklaces, brooches and earrings.

Texts in English.

Contents:
6 Foreword, Susan Warner
8 Sponsors
9 Acknowledgments, Davira S. Taragin
12 Linda Macneil: Defying Categorization. Davira S. Taragin
32 Unmistakably Macneil, Ursula Ilse-Neuman
43 Plates
115 Chronology And Public Collections
123 Selected Bibliography
125 Catalog Of The Exhibition


Exhibition: Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington. (US), 21.1.–1.10.2017