The Human Condition: The Stephen and Pamela Hootkin Collection Sept. 2014 | Page 10

sheet of paper, together with a stamped and addressed

particular to our time. Without collectors such as the

return envelope asking them to send Stephen a birthday

Hootkins we would be much slower coming to appreciate

wish if they were so inclined. They all replied with either

it. I also wish to acknowledge their graciousness and

a note or a drawing to commemorate the occasion. A

generosity of spirit. Their collection is their passion. They

number of these missives are reproduced here, among

live surrounded by it. Daily they greet each piece afresh

them a charming collage from Garth Clark and his partner

and ponder what it means to them both individually

Mark Del Vecchio. Today, Michael Lucero, whose career

and as a couple. To be parted from the works, even

the Hootkins have followed and supported since the early

for the relatively short three-month duration of the

1980s, is still a close personal friend. Other artists with

exhibition in Madison, not to mention another three

whom they maintain regular contact include Beth Cavener,

months for crating and shipping, is not a comfortable

Michele Oka Doner, Judy Fox, and Peter Gourfain.

experience for them. However, they understand the

Today, the Hootkin collection as a whole numbers over
three hundred objects. The present exhibition, which
comprises 119 works by thirty-five different artists, is
entitled The Human Condition. The selection of works, as

importance of exposing the students of the University
of Wisconsin–Madison, as well as the broader Madison
community, to this special art form. This demonstrates
a genuine commitment to art and to education.

well as the title, endeavors to encapsulate the Hootkins’

Support for this exhibition has been provided by

mature vision and achievement as collectors. Functional

the Chazen Museum of Art Council, the Madison

and decorative works were a good introduction to

Arts Commission, the Wisconsin Arts Board with

ceramics, but have become peripheral to the Hootkins’

funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National

true interests. It is rare that an exhibition of thematic

Endowment for the Arts, the Chazen Museum of Art

coherence and depth can be based on the taste and

Endowment Fund, and an anonymous private donor.

aesthetic considerations of a single collector, or, in

The exhibition The Human Condition: The Stephen

this case a couple working in tandem. The Hootkin

and Pamela Hootkin Collection of Contemporary

collection is fairly unique. The only comparable one,

Ceramic Sculpture and its accompanying catalogue

although with a broader scope of interest, belonged to

are the result of hard work and collaboration of many

Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio and was recently

creative and talented staff members of the Chazen

acquired by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Museum of Art and various individuals outside the

I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge Stephen

institution who helped make this project possible.

and Pamela Hootkin’s deep passion and life-long

First of all, I wish to recognize Christy Wahl, who

dedication to the ceramic arts. It is a very special art form

was my curatorial and research assistant from the

Artists' birthday messages to Stephen Hootkin.

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