Item: Kay Whitcomb Plastic Discs

Artist/Maker: Kay Whitcomb – Perhaps the most unique San Diego enamelist (compared with the Woolleys, Barney Reid, Phyllis Wallen, James Parker, Margaret Price, and Margaret Montgomery Barlow), Kay Whitcomb achieved national recognition and won consistent awards for her work over the latter half of the twentieth century. Her work often featured fanciful figurative elements, strong geometric structure and words, phrases and quotations. Whitcomb’s unique aesthetic, combined with many innovative techniques like her chemical crust, put her in a class by herself. She studied at RISD and Cambridge School of Art, apprenticed with Doris Hall in 1946, and began teaching at the Art Center in La Jolla in 1956. The first enamel teacher in San Diego, she remained in La Jolla until 1991 when she returned to Massachusetts. Whitcomb was a board member of the Southern California Designer-Craftsmen and the San Diego Art Guild (president 1968-69) and also a member of the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego. She was a founder of the Enamel Guild West and made many trips to Europe where she was guest artist at Gustavberg, Sweden, in 1969 and Crahait, Belgium, during the early 70s.  These industrial residencies allowed her to develop singular methods for architectural enamels.

Description: Two polyester resin/plastic discs with detailed cut paper appliqué; one with a male figure and one female. The figurative designs seem to be fanciful modernist versions of symbols from ancient cultures. Her hand made paper patterns are thoroughly adhered to the plastic surface, which is otherwise painted and decorated. Great with some light coming through the translucent material.

Dimensions: 4.5 in. diameter ea.

Condition: Very good

Price: $195.00

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