The sheer brilliance that strikes a person when walking into the room is far beyond what I expected to see. It almost feels like walking into a pirate’s secret treasure trove. Fantastic arrays of light bounce off the silver pieces and add a sense of mystery.
The woman behind this collection of silver is probably not who would be expected. As a Native American born into a working-class family, Walsh’s resemblance to a pirate requires a stretch of the imagination. Her silver collection, though, would deal a blow to even the dreaded Blackbeard’s ego.
Walsh’s collection is currently on display at the UW Art Museum through Nov. 12. According to Rachel Miller, assistant curator at the museum.
Walsh currently owns more than 2000 pieces from 21 countries and more than 185 of those pieces are on display at UW. “I collect first and foremost for design and then for excellent workmanship, it must function, and I must consider it an object of beauty,” stated Walsh in a letter.
“Some friends introduced her to some silver and so it just kind of took off for her,” said Miller. “When you walk into the gallery and see all of it, it is pretty amazing.”
Walsh grew up on the Turtle Mountain Reservation in Belcourt, N.D., before spending the last 30 years living in New York.
Silver collecting started as a hobby for Walsh, but she started taking it more seriously as time progressed. Her current collection consists of objects from more than 134 silver artisans.
The collection was brought to UW after the chief curator at the museum went to New York to examine the collection. “She definitely helped us figure out what we wanted and what would make for a good exhibition,” stated Miller.
“Collectors generally know their collection very intimately,” said Miller. This is especially true about Walsh. Her dedication to collecting and preserving pieces of history could not be more evident. Seeing the collection is an entirely unique experience.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Bonnie Lemberger, a museum visitor from Louisville, Ky. “It’s astonishing.”
For more information about the Margo Grant Walsh collection, you may visit the UW Art Museum website at: www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.