Clayton James
Art and Archives

July 1 - September 24, 2017

CLAYTON JAMES: ART AND ARCHIVES

Exhibition Date: July 1 - September 24, 2017
Reception Date: Saturday, July 1, 2017 - 2:00pm
Curator’s Talk: July 22, 1pm

MoNA celebrates the life and work of Clayton James (1918 - 2016), with an exhibition of art and photographs from the permanent collection and selections from archives recently donated to the museum. Clayton’s sculptural works in clay, bronze and wood and his abstract and landscape paintings will be featured, along with notes, letters, exhibition announcements and reviews documenting his 60-plus-year artistic career. An essential part of the exhibition also involves Barbara Straker James (1918 - 2007) -- artist, writer, Clayton’s wife, MoNA’s first curator, and the archivist of their lives as individuals and together.

Clayton James, Untitled Vessel, c. 1980s, hand-pinched clay vessel (narrow neck)
2005.137.071, MoNA, gift of the Verne Mittlestadt Collection

Left: Clayton James, (Mud Head) Susan on the Beach, 2000 (c. 1998), Oil on board, 48” x 36”
2010.050.001, MoNA, gift of the Artist

Right: Clayton James, La Tete, 1978, Fired clay, 16.5” x 16.5” x 13.5”
1998.050.001, MoNA, gift of Barbara James

Clayton James, Snow King, 2000, Oil on canvas, 21” x 25”
2011.275.026, MoNA, gift of Chris and Allen Elliott Collection

Barbara Straker-James, Swinomish Bird Spirit, 1961, Tempera on board, 40.5” x 24”
2017.546.051, MoNA, Estate of Clayton James

Clayton James, From Down Under, 2007, Oil on panel, 32” x 48”
2017.546.043, MoNA, Estate of Clayton James