Material Curiosity by Design: Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman – Los Angeles, CA

Material Curiosity by Design explores the prolific careers of midcentury designers Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman in dialogue with select works by three contemporary artists. Celebrated for their vibrant contributions to California modernism, the Ackermans partnered for decades on bold designs that brought warmth to midcentury interiors. Showcasing their ceramic, textile, mosaic, wood, and metal creations alongside new works by Porfirio Gutierrez, Jolie Ngo, and Vince Skelly, this exhibition sparks a dynamic conversation about materials, innovation, and craft.

Born and trained in Detroit, Michigan, the Ackermans moved to Los Angeles, California, in the early 1950s, where they set up their studio. The duo epitomized the designer-craftsperson ethos, bridging their studio art training with efforts to scale production for broader markets. Over fifty years, they designed a diverse body of work ranging from colorful mosaics and wall hangings to graceful ceramics and wood carvings. Featuring final products along with preparatory materials-many of which will be shown for the first time-this exhibition offers intimate explorations of the Ackermans’ techniques in different media. It invites visitors to consider the interplay between design concepts and material sensitivity that underpinned the couple’s success.

At Craft Contemporary, the Ackermans’ creative practice is presented in relation to that of a new generation of California-based artists who engage deeply with a single material. Recent works by Gutierrez, Ngo, and Skelly expand the exhibition’s investigation of the relationship between art and making. Bringing together historical and contemporary voices, Material Curiosity by Design illuminates the ongoing appeal of attending closely to medium in craft practices.

This exhibition is curated by Danielle Charlap and designed by Gary Wexler Design.