Introduction
In this first quarter of 2023, we are drawn to the regional museums. There are many institutions in that category that deserve more attention than they get nationally. Some have unique, top quality collections in particular areas of specification. Such is the case in our lead article about the Racine Art Museum. This institution, fostered by S.C. Johnson family descendents, specializes in what is commonly known as crafts—ceramics, art jewelry, fiber, glass, metal, polymer, wood, and works on paper. Neil Goodman interviewed its executive director and chief curator Bruce Pepich. A new writer to our pages, Christine Zappella reviews an exhibition at San Antonio's McNay Art Museum of the works of two African-American artists, Benny Andrew and Deborah Roberts. Our writer and New Media Producer Diane Thodos reviews a significant exhibition of the works of William Kentridge at the Ware-house Art Museum of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She presents a detailed philosophical and political analysis of the important South African artist.
This quarter, we have reviews from many parts of the country. Our New York Editor, Paul Moreno, presents us with the art of three artists whose oeuvres are not well known. Our Northeast Region correspondent, Dominick Lombardi, reviews the work of Hangama Amiri shown at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museumin in Ridgefield Connecticut. Amiri and her family fled Afghanistan in 1996. Her work concentrates on recording the look and traditions of her culture prior to the the take over by the Taliban. Our new writer, Troy Sherman reviews “Faithfully Askew Too,” an exhibiiton of five emerging artists at Monaco, an artist-run space in St. Louis. Our Great Lakes Region Editor, K.A. Letts, brings us two reviews from Detroit. “Get Together” is salon-style show with about 120 artists from all over the greater Detroit area. Her other review is of the work of Ewuresi Archer, a Ghanian-American artist shown at Detroit’s Beltline Projects.
Not to be forgotten, we have four reviews of exhibitons in Chicago. Annette Lepique reviewed Lavar Munroe's show at Monique Meloche, titled “Sometime Come to Someplace.” His work can be viewed as a reintepretation of the concepts in the film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for contenporary society. “Reckless Rolodex" at Gallery 400, was a group show of artists whose work was influenced by the late Lawrence Steger. John Thomure, an expert in Steger's work, did the honors. Our Assistant Editor Evan Carter reviewed the most recent show of well known and respected Chicago artist Richard Hull at Wester Exhibitions. And our Editor in Chief, Michel Ségard analyzed the two-person show of Jean Frater and Margaret Welsh at Engage Projects—two artists who approach feminism in dramatically different ways.
As the season changes to a warmer ambiance, we hope you find this very diverse collection of essays enjoyable and stimulating.
The Editors
