A new exhibition in the Spain Gallery of the Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building unites fabric sculptures and hand-printed textiles from the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection.
Secret Garden, which runs through July 2012, features three American artists whose works in fiber embrace the idea of a garden as a personal metaphor: Ted Hallman’s The Inner Tree, represents a spiritual quest; Sheila Hicks' Wow Bush/Turmoil in Full Bloom, is an expression of discordance and unruliness; and Jim Hodges' Every Touch, is about the power of memory.
Left to right (on floor): The Inner Tree, c. 1977. Ted Hallman, American, born 1933. Knit acrylic yarn, steel, 90 x 63 1/2 x 30 3/4 inches . Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Every Touch, 1995. Jim Hodges, American, born 1957. Silk fabric, 14 x 16 feet. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Purchased with funds contributed by Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Dixon Stroud, 1995. Turmoil in Full Bloom, 1977-87. Sheila Hicks, American, born 1934. Cotton. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of an anonymous donor, 2011. Left to right (on wall): Printed Textile: "Forest", 1977. Henry Kluck, American, 1922 - 2007. White print on linen plain weave, 9 feet 5 1/4 inches x 4 feet 6 1/2 inches. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Purchased with the Costume and Textiles Revolving Fund, 2011. Printed Silk "Bellflower", 1973. Designed by Jack Lenor Larsen, Inc., New York, 1953 - 1997. Hand print on hand woven silk plain weave (a) 9 1/2 x 37 inches (24.1 x 94 cm), (b) 10 x 38 1/2 inches, (c) 100 x 39 1/2 inches . Pattern Repeat: 36 inches. Philadelphia Museum of Art, Gift of Duncan Cook, 1976.