MAD's 'OUT of the Jewelry Box' Explores Queer Identity Through 78 Works

The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York is showcasing 'OUT of the Jewelry Box,' an exhibition that runs until October 4 and explores queer viewpoints in jewelry. Senior curator Barbara Paris Gifford has organized the display, which includes 78 pieces—56 from collectors Ron Porter and Joe Price, who started their art jewelry collection after visiting MAD in 1986 (when it was known as the American Craft Museum). The remaining 22 items are sourced from the museum's own collection and other venues. The exhibition is divided into themes such as Affirmation of Queer Desire and Wondrous Forms, featuring works from artists like Bob Ebendorf and Keith Lewis. Highlights include Art Smith's brass neckpieces from the 1950s and Keith Lewis's 1993 Dead Souls Neckpiece, honoring friends lost to AIDS. Gifford underscores the exhibition's goal of amplifying diverse queer narratives and promoting empathy, particularly in light of ongoing challenges to LGBTQ+ rights.