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.
8