ARTIST
STATEMENT
"The
vessels of Michael and Maureen Banner resemble nothing
so much as the perennial flowers that surround their
rural Massachusetts home and studio. Sturdy and knotty
at the base, the silver forms rise in graceful, arching
plumes to aspire to the sky. More organic than representational,
these vessels distill the gestures and lines of the
natural world."
Completely functional vessels of sterling silver made
of sterling silver or gold. The works are hand wrought
using traditional silversmithing
tools and techniques. Enchanted by the creative process
of designing a new piece, we debate, brainstorm, 
draw
- together. Silver moving and joining is challenging.
Functional works are tricky to make using traditional,
low-tech tools and techniques. Adoring silver smithing,
the more complex and exacting the construction, the
more fun it is. Cut, anneal, hammer, wire solder, file,
polish. Next!
PUBLICATIONS
- PRESS
2002
HGTV Modern Masters - February 24 (television)
2002 'Mary Engelbreit Home Companion, Winter Artist’s
Workshop'
2002 Kathryn Morton, 'Judaic Artisans Today'
2001 Metalsmith Magazine, 'In the Balance: Michael and
Maureen Banner' Pat Harris & David Lyon
Garth
Clark for the Sonny Kamm Collection,
'The
Artful Teapot'
American Craft Museum, 'Objects for Use'
Berkshires Week, May 24 'Look for the Silver Lining'
Michelle Gillette
2000 Metalsmith Magazine, 'Exhibition in Print'
Guild Publishing, 'Beautiful Things'
1998 Women's Times, 'Maureen Banner, No Egrets' Allison
Tracy,
Springfield Union News, June, 'A Banner Year for Crafts'
1992 Michael Wolk, 'Designing for the table.'.
