Designer/Maker:
Kay Whitcomb - Perhaps the most unique San Diego enamellist
(compared with the Woolleys, Barney Reid, Phyllis Wallen, James Parker
and Margaret Price), she achieved national recognition and accolades
for her work during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Her work often featured
fanciful figurative elements, strong geometric structure and words,
phrases and quotations. Her 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 1990 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 enameler at Gustavberg,
Sweden in 1969 and Crahait, Belgium during the early 70s. These industrial
residencies allowed her to develop singular methods for architectural
enamels on steel which required only one firing.
Description:
Set of two early bowls with geometric and plant designs and
the artist's typically thick and distinctive counter enamel. One is
signed.
Dimensions:
each 6” diam, 1 1/2“ high
Condition:
Fair - some fractures in the glass surface that appears to be original
to the work.
