Exhibit explores Wright’s range

Wright’s FLW Heath House Chair Dining Chair (1904–1905, oak and leather upholostery) for the William R. Heath House in Buffalo, N.Y. Wes Magyar/Kirkland Museum Collection

The Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art in Denver is currently hosting “Frank Lloyd Wright: Inside the Walls”, an exhibition featuring decorative art objects from the museum’s permanent collection designed by Wright (1867–1959) for 11 architectural projects, spanning 50 years of his 70-year career.

The show opened June 17 and will run through Jan. 8, 2023 in Gallery 12. It focuses on the relationship between Wright’s architecture and decorative art and reflects the range of his work in Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Modern styles.

FLW Booth House Lamp Floor Lamp (1915, wood with paper shade) for the Sherman M. Booth House in Glencoe, Ill. Wes Magyar/Kirkland Museum Collection

Highlights include Wright’s designs from the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo; Midway Gardens in Chicago; SC Johnson Wax Building in Racine, Wis., and Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla. A newly acquired window from the Avery Coonley Playhouse and a lamp made from two pieces of Wright-designed art glass are also featured.

By exhibiting furniture and tableware with historic photographs of their original settings, visitors are invited to consider how each object reflects the unified vision Wright designed, according to the museum.

Wright’s FLW Smith Bank Table Lobby Table (1905, oak) for the Frank L. Smith Bank in Dwight, Ill.; FLW SC Johnson Chair Office Chair (1937, enameled steel and cloth upholstery) for the SC Johnson Wax Building in Racine, Wis., and FLW Winn House Pair Armchair and Ottoman (1950, wood with cloth upholstery) for the Robert D. Winn House in Kalamazoo, Mich. Wes Magyar/Kirkland Museum Collection

“Frank Lloyd Wright is a name that many recognize as an influential American architect, but few may know he designed specific decorative art pieces to accompany his building projects,” associate museum director Renée Albiston said in a statement.“Multiple Frank Lloyd Wright objects are found in Kirkland Museum’s permanent collection. We can’t wait to share these intriguing examples of Wright’s work in a cohesive exhibition accompanied by a variety of programming that includes exciting lectures with internationally renowned experts and other visitor engagement opportunities throughout the rest of the year.”

For more, visit kirklandmuseum.org.

Texas furniture show

The Texas Furniture Makers Show, an annual exhibit held at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center in Kerrville, Texas, will open Nov. 3 and run through Dec. 17. kacckerrville.com.

This article was originally published in the October 2022 issue.

“Frank Lloyd Wright: Inside The Walls”American Architect Architectural Projects Decorative Art Objects exhibition Frank Lloyd Wright Kirkland Museum Of Fine & Decorative Art

Jennifer HicksAuthor