The American Museum in Britain - Part 1

KING  OF  COLOUR

A  FIFTY  YEAR  CELEBRATION

Once seen and admired who could possibly forget the colourful world of KAFFE FASSETT - his tapestries and knitwear elevate even the humble cabbage to an object of beauty.

A post on KAFFE has been bubbling away in my drafts cauldron for the past few months, but joy of joys a 50 year celebratory exhibition of his work is now taking place at the American Museum in Britain - a mere hop, skip and a jump down the road from me.

Founded in 1961 at Claverton Manor, Bath, the American Museum in Britain is the only museum of American decorative and folk art outside the United States.

The manor built in 1820 is beautifully situated high above the Avon Valley and commands wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.

 

At the age of 19 KAFFE won a scholarship to the Museum of Fine arts in Boston but inspired by his conversations about England with Christopher Isherwood he left in 1964 for London. His timing was perfect as London was about to burst into colour with the arrival of the swinging sixties, and KAFFE was in his element. 

Shortly after KAFFE arrived in 1964 he came to stay in Bath for six months. During this time he was inspired by the decorative treasures on view at Claverton Manor - especially the Museum's many antique American quilts. He was fascinated not only with the block patterns created in the textile masterworks but also by their audacious use of juxtaposed colours and printed fabrics.

KAFFE'S 

quilts 

Star

Bordered Diamonds 

Striped City

Tumbling Fans

KAFFE'S 

paintings

KAFFE says: "The one art form that gave me not only an approach to colour, but the exciting geometric forms to hang any colour scheme on, was the patchwork quilt....
The American Museum was one place that collected these inventive compositions of patterned fabric, as America is one country that celebrates this craft. It connects us with the hands of our forebears."

KAFFE'S 

knitwear

Some of his own work and part of his collection of eclectic pottery

KAFFE'S 

Needlepoint 

Charleston Summer 

Vegetables

Giant Shell

Both images from the same needlepoint rug

KAFFE'S studio/workshop

The museum has a beautiful garden which I shall show in another post -  a replica of a famous America garden

The exhibition is open until the 2nd November 2014 - closed Mondays

"This is the grandest show of my career - every item is part of an intricate opera of colour. I have always wanted this approach to my work, but other museum designers and curators have steered me to a rather mixed approach in my exhibitions.

This show is so unique to me because it explains in a visceral way my growing obsession with the power of colour. My hope and conviction is that this exhibition at the American Museum in Britain will show the grey and beige clad young the sensual thrill of pure colour. I still feel vital! I want my message to come across in this mood altering show - I'm flying high on colour.

This show is closer to my desires than ever before in my many, many presentations around the world."

Kaffe Fassett, 12th March 2014