Discovering an artist after his work has already been curated in such vaunted venues as The Whitney Museum of American Art, the Smithsonian Institute and the White House Collection of American Crafts among others, often means that acquiring his work will probably be out of reach for most of us. Fortunately for us, works by Bennett Bean, noted ceramicist, sculptor and painter who brought his unique sensibility to textile design in collaboration with Elizabeth Rand, remain very accessible.
Last week The Museum of Art and Design (MAD) feted Bean on the occasion of the introduction of a collection of area carpets that were commissioned by the museum in honor of its inaugural. The limited edition collection, "9 for 09", which was unveiled at ICFF, is exclusively available through The Store at MAD.
Although he has worked in a variety of media and one of his minimalist sculptures is in the Whitney's permanent collection, Bean is most recognized for his ceramic arts. With influences ranging from Japanese and Native American pottery to the works of English potter Bernard Leach, Bean works in the vessel tradition. Pit-firing earthenware vessels, he uses a variety of techniques to apply elaborate decorative motifs post-firing, producing masterful works of complex form and color.
The "9 for 09" collection was inspired by Bean's ceramic works with mesmerizing motifs of color that appear to overlay the ground in successive layers. Available in three designs, in two colorways each, the carpets are 100-knot Tibetan silk and wool and are offered in both 5' x 7' and custom sizes.
For a limited time, a number of the ceramic pieces which inspired the collection will also be available through The Store at MAD.
If you're in the area and haven't yet visited MAD, which is located on Columbus Circle in Manhattan, this is certainly a good reason to plan that outing.
