Gilbert Kulish

Smoked Out, 2011

1.25 x 9.75 x 10

Gilbert Kulish (1925-2015) was born in California and lived much of her life in Bucks County. She often drew on her life in the deserts of California to create her clay art. Kulish grew up on a small ranch in the hills and desert of California, where Warner Brothers and Universal Studios among her nearest neighbors. She spent afternoons with friends chasing wild horses and playing with "gopher" snakes, some as long as seven feet, the kids draping the reptiles around their necks, arms and wrists. Gilbert was the daughter of noted architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. She painted and exhibited for decades before switching to ceramics. She and her husband, Anthony, also an artist, bought a barn in Bucks County, raised their children, and each worked on their own art practices. Anthony said about Gilbert's artwork, she could do anything. Often she made traditional wares, such as finely cut porcelain Christmas decorations in the shape of stars and characters from Victorian children's books. Sinuous, multicolored snakes hold candles in their jaws. She illustrated the poster for Lambertville's annual shad fest with a pair of anthropomorphic fish dressed as cowboys.

The piece in our auction is part of a series of trompe l'oeil ashtrays containing ceramic cigarette butts emerged from an artistic discussion with her husband.

From the collection of Arlene and Bernie Solomon

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