“Each work tells a story, that continuum, in it’s own quiet way is compelling and quite frankly a thrilling adventure. “ Thomas Gentille
Every so often you come across an artisan whose skilled craftsmanship, mastery of color and texture, instinctive sense of balance and contrast for a Zen-like aura, is perfectly realized. One such magical experience I recently encountered is the first solo exhibition “Thomas Gentille 21st Century” America’s foremost art jewelry designer at the Gallery Loupe in Montclair, NJ.
Gentille’s rich history spanning fifty years has been recognized by connoisseurs and collectors (Laurence Rockefeller once purchased a pin asking for discretion) and is in the permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cooper Hewitt, and the Smithsonian Institution, among others. For this exhibition, he has designed a group of 35 eye-catching geometric pins, imbued with texture and color that when pinned to a suit lapel or dress are standouts as commanding bold abstract art pieces.
Meeting Gentille for the first time at the exhibition preview one is struck by this soft spoken, low-key Midwesterner whose energy and gregariousness provided for a lively presentation as he took visitors through the meticulous process of creating one-of-a-kind architectural, linear pins. Part of developing an appreciation for Gentllle’s designs is learning how painstakingly each piece unfolds, the ways in which he experiments exploring how material and color interact and then to the execution, a period taking up to six months or more for a finished piece (Gentille works on several at any given time.)
Starting with a sketch, Gentille draws a pin to size and works out various patterns on paper. As an innovator inventing new techniques, Gentille finds the soul or poetry in the material, which, when combined with a Minimalism sensibility, results in a sophisticated, cutting-edge (although the word “classic” equally applies) piece of art jewelry.
Several favorites were the trapezoid egg shell inlay with a fine diagonal line drawn in ink that is a standout on a black dress, a slender vertical maple wood with a ¾ mother of pearl stone at the edge (reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’ elegant straight back chair), yellow streaks in warm yellow resin ends with a reservoir of granules in dyed gray cork, as well as host of pins in dazzling colors made in synthetic or natural materials.
Born in Mansfield, Ohio and educated at the Cleveland Institute in Art, Gentille trained as a Metalsmith for ten years moving to New York in the 60s. The subject of several exhibitions in Europe where accolades and awards have been bestowed, he is the first American to be honored as a Klassiker der Moderne at Schmuck 2006 (the Herbert Hofmann Prize) the annual exhibition of jewelry in Munich; and the Bavarian State Prize in 2004. Prices start at $3,600 high, but when viewed as a timeless work of art, a good investment.
The Gallery Loupe exhibition is Gentille’s first exhibition in many years and will be on view through November 20. Also on display will be color studies investigating color and form, and a model of a dream house designed by the artist. Contact Gallery Loupe for specific hours @ http://www.galleryloupe.com, 973-744-0061.
Photos of Pins in order of appearance:
OPENING PHOTO: Thomas Gentille wearing one of his pins
MULTI-COLORED
Thomas Gentille
Pigmented resin, paint, maple, metal.
92 x 51 x 13 mm
Photo: Steven Brian Samuels
EGGSHELL
Thomas Gentille
Eggshell inlay, india ink, metal.
101 x 75 x 13 mm
Photo: Steven Brian Samuels
RED
Thomas Gentille
Paint and pumice, zinc, stainless steel.
64 x 145 x 14 mm
Photo: Steven Brian Samuels
YELLOW
Thomas Gentille
Pigmented resin, cork, cherry, metal.
106 x 77 x 11mm.
Photo: Steven Brian Samuels
PHOTOS OF THOMAS GENTILLE AND GALLERY LOUPE
Gallery Loupe, Montclair, New Jersey
