[1]

Early Life and Education

Phillip George Fike (1927–1997) was an American metalsmith and jeweler. Fike was born in 1927 in Baraboo, Wisconsin.[2] In April of 1945 Fike finished high school and directly enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He attended University of Wisconsin under the G.I. Bill.[3] where he studied Applied Art. Fike earned his Master of Science degree in 1951 from the University of Wisconsin. [4] Fike taught art at Wayne University in 1953 and continued teaching there for 45 years.[3]

Career and Achievements

He is known for his work in the decorative metal technique of niello as well as reintroducing the fibula brooch to contemporary metalsmiths.[3] Niello involves filling designs engraved on the surface of metal. To share this technique with others, Fike taught workshops around the U.S.[5]

Fike was a founding member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.[6] Fike was the person who coined the acronym “SNAG” for this society. The goal of the SNAG organization was to create diversity and encourage creativity in the metalsmith world. [7]In 1983 he was named a Master Metalsmith by the Metal Museum in Memphis.[8] In 1988 he was named a fellow of the American Craft Council.[9]

Fike characterized himself as “a simple American Metalsmith competing with the excellence of the past.[1]” He was known for integrating mechanics into his work, as he had a passion for mechanics and metalsmithing. His more known works include interlocking wedding bands, the fibulae brooch, and moving ear ornaments.[10]

His work is in the Detroit Institute of Arts,[11] The Metal Museum,[12] the National Gallery of Art,[13] the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[2]

Later Life

After becoming a proficient metalsmith, he was introduced to blacksmithing by L. Brent Kington. This inspired him to incorporate iron into his later works.[2]

Fike suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, and towards the end of his life, he had to be on oxygen assistance nearly 24 hours a day. Despite his condition, he continued teaching and made cross-country journeys to attend the SNAG conference and the National Ornamental Metal Museum’s Annual Repair Days. [14] Fike died in Grosse Pointe[2] on December 8, 1997.

References

  1. ^ a b "Podcast: From the Vault: Metalsmith and Professor Phillip Fike and the Wayne State Academic Mace". Walter P. Leuther Library. February 21, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Phillip Fike". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "A Finding Aid to the Phillip Fike papers, 1951-2010". Archives of American Art. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ganoksin: Jewelry Making Resources". Ganoksin. February 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Smithsonian". February 22, 2025.
  6. ^ Falino, Jeannine (2011). Crafting modernism: midcentury American art and design: [exhibition Crafting modernism. Midcentury American art and design, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, October 11, 2011 - January 15, 2012; Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, February 27 - May 21, 2012]. New York: Abrams. p. 332. ISBN 978-0810984806.
  7. ^ "SNAG: Who We Are". SNAG. February 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "Master Metalsmiths". Metal Museum | Memphis, TN. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  9. ^ "College of Fellows". American Craft Council. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  10. ^ "Phillip Fike". Ganoksin. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  11. ^ "Fibula". Detroit Institute of Arts Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  12. ^ "Fibula, Fike, Phillip". Metal Museum. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  13. ^ "Ganoksin: Jewelry Making Resources". Ganoksin. February 23, 2025.

[1] [2][3]

  1. ^ "SAAM". February 21, 2025.
  2. ^ "Ganokskin Jewelry Making Resources". Ganokskin. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  3. ^ "Who We Are". SNAG. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillip_Fike
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