Arline Fisch – One of a Kind is a retrospective featuring more than seven decades of jewelry and body ornaments created by internationally-renowned artist Arline Fisch.
The Mingei exhibits 
jewelry retrospective
The Mingei International Museum has opened a retrospective view of more than seven decades of work, Arline Fisch – One of a Kind, which features jewelry and body ornaments, as well as a collection of knitted and crocheted wire hanging flowers and sea creatures by internationally-renowned artist and San Diego resident, Arline Fisch.
Designated a “Living Treasure of California” in 1985 by the California legislature for her work as an artist, educator, author and contributor to the field of American crafts, Fisch has a distinguished career as a maker of jewelry and body adornment. She has exhibited extensively all over the world and is recognized as an innovator in adapting and applying fiber techniques to working in metal. Her work is included in many public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Born in Brooklyn in 1931, Fisch was inspired by the artistic and architectural history of New York City. After obtaining BS and MA degrees in art, she spent 10 months in Copenhagen studying jewelry and modern design, and was greatly influenced by the Danish model of metalsmithing. In 1961, Fisch was asked to head-up a newly created jewelry and metalsmithing program at San Diego State University – the move provided fresh artistic inspiration via Southern California’s sensory-engaging qualities of color, form and scale, as well as new opportunities for travel and research. Visiting museums in the U.S. and Europe, Mexico and Central and South America, exposed Fisch to the history of art across the globe.
Travel has always been a catalyst for her creative process, helping to hone her distinct artistic identity. Fisch says: “My work evolves out of what I have seen and what I have drawn, sometimes very specifically and sometimes in a general way … Most often, however, I tend to mix up what I’ve seen or studied so that it is difficult to tell what has influenced any particular piece.”
Arline Fisch – One of a Kind offers a comprehensive view of her craft and includes approximately 30 necklaces, brooches, bracelets and pendants, as well as body ornaments such as a pectoral, headpiece, belt buckle, and pomanders — many on loan from the artist. In addition, a selection of knitted and crocheted color-coated wire hanging flowers and sea creatures will also be on view.
Located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1439 El Prado, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. Visit mingei.org.
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