Kranitzky and Overstreet
Serendipity brought Virginia artists Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet together in 1985 and they have been speaking with a singular voice ever since. Their early works, created during the 80’s era of New Wave and Punk fashion, were constructed of fragments, objects and unconventional materials.
“…we have always thought of our artistic process as a natural one. On most days, our minds meet in the form of a tornado, two air streams spinning cultural debris into a larger, more singular form. We twist individual concepts, objects and materials around and around in our minds until they miraculously funnel down into a cohesive narrative brooch. Like the tornado, we aim to be a grounded force and also a spinning, creative vortex with our head in the clouds..”
Over the years, their idea of resourcefully using anything at hand, coupled with Kranitzky’s window display experience and Overstreet’s graphic arts training, has led to their unique signature style. Their narrative brooches, once described as “repositories of symbolism”, are now featured in many publications and numerous museum collections including Design Museum Helsinki, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Kranitzky & Overstreet studio is located in Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Current Work
Reflecting on the Way
Bone, Acrylic, Brass, Mirror, Paper, Wood, Acetate, And Other Materials. Artists: Kranitzky And Overstreet from Signs Of Life 2018. This piece measures 3 1/4'' x 7/8'' x 3/8.''
Reflecting on the Dream
Reflecting On The Dream Brooch, 2018: Bone, Acrylic, Brass, Mirror, Paper, Wood, Acetate, And Other Materials. Artists: Kranitzky And Overstreet for Signs Of Life 2018. This piece measures 3'' x 2 1/4'' x 5/8.''
Mid-Century Modern Brooch with Spokes
Mid-Century Modern Brooch (Oval Amoeba With Spokes). Acrylic, Brass Silver, Paper And Mixed Media. By Kranitzky And Overstreet, 2014. This Piece with spokes measures 2 1/2'' x 2'' x 1/4.'' The body of the amoeba measures 1 3/4''x 1 1/4'' x 1/4'.'
Past Work
"Reveal" Brooch (#1770)
Acrylic, wood, bamboo, shell, paper, brass, copper, porcupine quills, glass, thread, wood putty, acetate, "found" tin, and other. 2016. 6 1/2" x 4" x 1 1/4".
Exhibit: A Meeting of Minds
Cubist Brooch
Found object collage mixed media brooch. 2 x 2 3/4".
