The Retort

Once in a Lifetime Opportunity

Thu November 12th, 2009 by Lou Donaldson Of The Retort Staff

Currently on display at the Yellowstone Art Museum is a exhibit that is a once in a lifetime opportunity to view, entitled “Curious Finds.” Why, you may ask, is this a once in a lifetime opportunity? Well, the answer is simple: unless you want to go to jail for B and E (breaking and entering) the chance to see these pieces up close is slim. “Curious Finds” features pieces from the private collections of people in and around Billings.

One piece featured is a large ceramic entitled “Shay Church,” made of stoneware. At first look it appears to be a stand of dead trees, some of which have been cut out. Upon closer inspection a bear’s head can clearly be seen as comprising the base of the piece, and when walking around the piece the bear’s head and neck as well as part of the body of a heron can be seen.

There are a number of other smaller ceramic pieces, such as “Gilded Jug” by Charles James Mason. “Carved Ivory Ball” is a beautiful example of the many intricately carved ivory pieces. Another is “Chinese Zodiac Animals” which showcases the twelve aspects of the Chinese zodiac masterfully carved from a single piece of ivory. Another item of interest appealing especially to history buffs is a photograph of Curley, the Crow scout that rode with Custer on June 25th 1876.

Blown glass bottles, a handmade wooden mask and a carved wooden shield fill the four rooms and two halls of the museum set aside for this exhibition. There are a myriad of paintings for the eye and mind to feast upon including landscapes and portraits done in acrylic, oil on canvas and even paint on silken wall tapestries.

The top piece of this exhibition is an Uzbekistan (relatively small country between Turkmenistan (country above Iran) and Kazakhstan) dress. This is a beautiful piece with such detail and craftsmanship one wants to touch it, to pick it up and hold it closer for a better look. The bright red dress with black trim and shoulder fringe has bead work, metal pieces and shells, and upon first glance appears to be a beautiful example of native work.

This show is definitely worth the trip to the museum – who knows if or when the chance to see these pieces will ever arise again.