Ken Cory (American, 1943-1994) "Brick Breast Brooch", USA, 1970

Enamel on copper, brass, carnelian
Stamped signature and dated to reverse: "KEN CORY 1970"

H: 1 3/8, W: 1 9/16, D: 5/8 in.

Exhibited

"Robert L. Pfannebecker Collection -- A Selection of Contemporary American Crafts", Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 17 - November 20, 1980; illustrated on page 50 of the accompanying catalogue.

Literature

Susan Cummins et al., In Flux: American Jewelry and the Counterculture, Arnoldsche, Stuttgart, 2020, pp. 2, 62, 64, 80-81, 83-88, 89-90, 92-93, 95, 101, 116-117, 119, 121, 137 (for a discussion of, and works by the artist)
Ben Mitchell, The Jewelry of Ken Cory: Play Disguised, Tacoma Art Museum/University of Washington Press, Seattle, 1997, p. 16 (bottle with related design illustrated)
Lee Nordness, Objects: USA, The Viking Press, New York, 1970, p. 227 (for a disussion of the artist)

Artist Biography

Ken Cory was a prominent figure in the Northwest Studio Art Jewelry movement creating works with a strong Pop sensibility and wry sense of humor often incorporating found objects. During the 1970s he formed the artistic collaboration called The Pencil Brothers with artist Les LePere.

Cory received his BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts and his MFA from Washington State University. He taught at Central Washington State College (now Central Washington University) in Ellensburg for several decades training several generations of Northwest jewelers and sculptors.

A major exhibition of his work titled "Ken Cory: Play Distinguished" was held at Tacoma Art Museum in 1997. The accompanying catalogue offers a retrospective look at his career.

Provenance

Acquired directly from the artist

Property from the Robert L. Pfannebecker Collection