Robert Kid Fabric & Yarn Weaving Sculptural

About the Item

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY Robert Kidd was a graduate of Cranbrook Academy of Art. He was a weaver and founded a yarn studio and small gallery in the ’70s called Robert L. Kidd & Associates. There was a yarn shop where very expensive, high-quality yarns were sold and looms located in the lower level workroom of the gallery where Kidd held classes. At the same time, there was a small gallery in the front section of the building called The Little White Gallery, which took off with much activity and became more profitable. At some point in the ’70s, Kidd, and his partner Fleming, decided to let the gallery become the focus of the business. They reinstalled the building for the purpose of becoming a fine art gallery along with the name change to Robert Kidd Gallery. It was operational for over 40 years and was one of the oldest in the Midwest ending its current Mission around 2014. The name was purchased and it is in operation but without the same focus. Kidd was more of a silent partner and responsible for the aesthetic and curatorial aims of the gallery, while Fleming was the face of the gallery and ‘making a vibrant business,’ Kiehl, a former gallery director, said. Kidd died from brain cancer in 2007 and Fleming died in 2012, leaving the gallery under the sole direction of Kiehl. He had been with the gallery for 10 years, six as director. ‘The most valuable thing I learned from Ray and Bob was an appreciation of what specifically constituted quality and to hone my eye as an artist and curator,’ he said. ‘Also to have an open mind and appreciation for tradition, because the art world has changed a lot since they opened the gallery.’ Robert Kidd earned an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Birmingham, Michigan. The school was designed by architect and faculty member, Eliel Saarinen who collaborated with Charles and Ray Eames on chair and furniture design. Numerous creative artists who are alumni of Cranbrook include: Harry Bertoia, Florence Knoll, Jack Lenor Larsen, Donald Lipski, Duane Hanson, Nick Cave, Hani Rashid, George Nelson, Urban Jupena (Nationally recognized fiber artist), Artis Lane (the first African-American artist to have her sculpture, "Sojourner Truth," commissioned for the Emancipation Hall in the Capital Visitor Center in Washington DC), Cory Puhlman (televised Pastry Chef extraordinaire), Thom O’Connor (Lithographs), Paul Evans (Brutalist-inspired sculpted metal furnishings), Eugene Caples (small bronze images/abstract), Morris Brose (bronze sculptures), Herb Babcock (blown glass) and Larry Butcher (mixed media – abstract.)

Dimensions:

Height: 54 in (137.16 cm)Width: 51 in (129.54 cm)Depth: 6 in (15.24 cm)

Style:

Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Acrylic,Burlap,Canvas,Fabric,Thread,Wool,Yarn,Woven

Place of Origin:

United States

Period:

Late 20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

1980-90s

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. The weaving displayed is a very unique piece of landscape sculpture. This style was extraordinary when created in the 1970s. Nothing had been seen like this where the yarn is pulled and twisted from a weaving to reach into a 3-dimensional space.

Seller Location:

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU7781233485082