Shapes for Holding | Lynn Everett Read and Sterling Collins Exhibition Recap

This was such a special exhibition for us. It was our first joint exhibition in the space, made even more memorable because it was a celebration of two artists—and friends—whom we'd admired long before Storied Objects came to be. 

We've spent more than a decade following the careers of Lynn Everett Read and Sterling Collins, visiting, admiring, researching, and even working in one of their studios for a Summer. It goes without saying that this exhibition, Shapes for Holding, represented not just our inaugural show with both artists but also an accumulation of stories and experiences we've shared throughout our encounters. It was an incredible feeling to get to showcase their work side by side—I can't think of two artists more deserving of recognition. 

Shapes for Holding embodied the distinctive qualities of glass and wood in everyday objects—pieces designed for holding, serving, presenting, and preserving—and the artists' profound understanding of their chosen materials. Within the exhibition, we explored how the contrasts of dark and light—wood and glass—are integrated into our daily lives, and the versatility of these opposing materials. 

Over the span of half a year, we worked closely with Read and Collins, balancing their design ethos with our own, to create a collection of objects that would connect with people's lives on an everyday scale. Each piece was born from a multitude of conversations and iterations rooted in collaboration and a commitment to quality. The inherent, raw beauty of wood was featured in two collections—Utility Bowls in naked cherry and Noir Bowls in ebonized cherry—while the fluidity of glass was highlighted in clear vessels, created using an emphasized post-gather process. The objects in these collections each hold countless layers of intimate human involvement, from design to craftsmanship.

Free from excess, the inner qualities of every piece are poignantly felt, each showing a connection between the intrinsic nature of the material and the object's function. Without distraction, without embellishment, they are powerful reminders of the potential that comes from removing the unnecessary and revealing a material's true beauty.

The exhibition opening was carried out very differently this time around. Due to our small footprint and the growing popularity of in-person events, we held a daytime preview to space out attendance, giving everyone the opportunity to leisurely explore the collection throughout the day and into the night. As usual, it was lovely to see so many new and returning faces!