Gallery 203: the permanent collection

Monmouth College is the proud caretaker of a distinguished collection of art and antiquities. Our Permanent Collection includes bequests of works of antiquity from the personal collection of James Christie Shields (class of 1949), traditional woodblock prints from Takashi Komatsu (class of 1910), works of printmaking from the Carnegie Print Collection, contemporary Japanese prints and paintings from Dorothy and James Schramm, and artwork primarily of the Pacific from W. Stewart Riley (class of 1945). Selected works from the Permanent Collection are put on display in Gallery 203 as well as in several display cases throughout Hewes Library.

Monmouth College has produced a full-color pamphlet detailing the Permanent Collection. Click here to view a .pdf version of this pamphlet (2.54 mb). For additional information, please contact Prof. Mary Phillips, Curator of the College Art Collections, at x2225 or phillips@monm.edu.

Currently on exhibit in Gallery 203

• Form Follows Function: Amongst the many artifacts in our James Christie Shields Collection are various tools, instruments and weapons. These represent a number of cultures and time periods. These pieces, interesting in their design and craftsmanship, afford the viewer insight into their utilitarian functions, be they ritualistic, medical, agrarian, culinary or military. Whatever the use, these items convey an efficiency and directness of purpose.
  Visitors might note the economy of form used in various functional objects, and both the individuality and uniqueness of the designs from the various cultures and chronological periods. Monmouth College is fortunate to have such a wealth of artifacts in our Shields Collection from which to draw this exhibit.
• The Goddess Isis: Three distinct depictions of the Egyptian goddess, Isis, are highlighted in Gallery 203. These works have not been on exhibit for quite some time and include a large coffin panel, a small bronze depicting the mother goddess, Isis, suckling the infant Horus, and a small wooden sculpture of the goddess seated. Other Egyptian artifacts are located in a nearby display case.

Currently on exhibit in the Upper Level Lobby Area

• New selections showcasing the ceramics of Henry Joe, Professor Emeritus, Knox College, are also on display at Hewes Library. The exhibit is displayed in the case in the lobby area at the top of the stairs on the Upper Level Lobby.

Currently on exhibit in the Main Level Lobby Area

• Deus X Machina: From the philosopher of life and powerful love affairs to the noblest warrior, the people of Hellas managed to accomplish founding the civilization to which we can trace almost every aspect of modern life. None of the accomplishments of the Classical world would have been possible had it not been for their devotion to their many gods and goddesses. The world of ancient Greece and Rome was replete with exquisite and symbolic items, many of which depicted this revered pantheon.
  The ten pieces included in the Deus X Machina exhibit should bring modern students of the Classical world out of the classroom and into the realm of sacrifice and libation. Shown in the exhibit are the Greek deities Apollo (credited with the charge of the sun, travelers, and music), Zeus (King of the gods of Olympus, charged with fathering the gods, hospitality, and trade), Aphrodite (Queen of Olympus, charged with lust, beauty, and motherhood), Dionysus (God of wine and inspired madness), Eros (the son of Aphrodite and Ares, charged with Love), and Persephone (the Queen of Hades, charged with the fertility of crops). The Roman deities represented in Deus X Machina include Mercury (Messenger of the Gods, charged with trade, profit, and commerce), and Venus (Goddess of love, beauty and fertility).
  The Deus X Machina exhibit will be featured in the near future with interactive three-dimensional imaging on the Hewes Library website.
  Organized by: Derek Huff, Classics Major, Class of 2011
  Curatorial Intern for Prof. Mary Phillips