History in the Making

History in the Making: 2011 Renwick Craft Invitational features works by four extraordinary artists who explore the deep roots of contemporary American craft and decorative arts. Ubaldo Vitali, a fourth-generation silversmith and master conservator of historic silver, uses classical techniques learned in the guilds of Rome to create luminous works for popes, kings and presidents. Cliff Lee, a neurosurgeon by training, creates elegant porcelain vessels with the exactitude of a doctor, often using his knowledge of chemistry to recreate medieval Chinese glazes long thought lost to history. Judith Schaechter brings a wealth of knowledge about traditional stained-glass practice to her moody, innovative windows, which reflect diverse influences, from gothic art to punk rock. Matthias Pliessnig combines traditional boat- building techniques and 3-D design technology to create seating furniture out of steam-bent oak strips that may have up to 7,000 points of contact without aid of hardware. The Renwick Craft Invitational is a biennial exhibition series established in 2000 to honour the creativity and talent of craft artists working today. History in the Making is the fifth presentation in the series.