An Integrated Installation
Since The Huntington first opened the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art in 1984, decorative arts objects have been displayed next to paintings and sculpture in meaningful juxtapositions. Harold B. “Hal” Nelson, curator of American decorative arts at The Huntington, adhered to this integrated approach when organizing “The House That Sam Built.”
“The Maloof residence and workshop were filled with the finest examples of Sam’s own furniture and offered a warm and welcoming environment where creative colleagues met to share a meal, exchange ideas, and provide mutual support and encouragement,” he said. “Over the years, the Maloofs filled their home with artwork in all media by their friends and colleagues, reflecting their love of hand-crafted objects as well as their unique perspective on the world. The most natural way to tell the story of Sam and his contributions to the art world seemed to be through the integration of decorative arts and craft with painting and sculpture.”
As visitors enter the exhibition they will be greeted by some of the earliest furniture Maloof created — a round, plywood coffee table with walnut legs; a low, radically abstract “string” chair, and an office chair made for the prominent New York- and Pasadena-based industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss. In an effort to create the suggestion of a domestic space, these works will be shown beside a group of ceramics by Otto and Gertrud Natzler, a table lamp by William Manker, and an early geometric painting by Karl Benjamin. The painting is one of two works in the exhibition by Karl Benjamin. Also featured is #4, painted in 1968, a recent gift to The Huntington.
Across from this group, visitors can explore three vibrantly colorful watercolors—two by Maloof and one by his mentor, Millard Sheets — all produced during a trip the two friends took to Mexico in late 1947 and into early 1948.
In another section of “The House That Sam Built,” paintings by Emil Kosa, Henry Lee McFee, and Milford Zornes will be placed next to a sofa, two chairs, a coffee table, and a bench. The bench is another recent gift to The Huntington. This group, juxtaposing several beautiful objects, suggests the living room in a California home of the late 1950s.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to view Maloof’s work as beautifully designed sculptural forms. “The House That Sam Built” includes three examples of Maloof’s classic form, the rocking chair. Two were made for Alfreda and one, a child-sized rocker, was made for his grandson Aaron. It also features one of Maloof’s largest and most elegant forms, a free-standing cradle.
Visitors will be encouraged to think more deeply about the works on view in an educational resource room, where they can peruse letters written by Maloof’s friends and clients; get a glimpse of his daily life in photographs of his workshop, house, friends, and family; and even get a feel for the tactile quality of Maloof’s sculpted and smoothly finished work.
There also will be audio recordings available at listening stations in the educational resource room where visitors can hear members of Maloof’s circle talk about their abiding friendship with Maloof and Alfreda as well as their thoughts on what it meant to them to participate in this diverse and mutually supportive group of artists living and working in the Claremont area. (Editor's Note: There are many YouTube Videos available about Sam Maloof online)
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