K. Lee Manuel (1936–November 5, 2003) was an American fiber artist and painter.[1][2] She was an important figure in the field of wearable art, also known as "artwear" and "art-to-wear."[3] She is best known for her hand-painted feather collars, clothing, and accessories, including kimono.[1] Her bold graphic and contemporary designs include geometric, abstract, natural, and figurative motifs that evoke archetypal stories and dreamlike qualities.[citation needed]
Born in Loma Linda, California,[2] she studied at the University of California, Los Angeles, and received her bachelor of fine arts from the San Francisco Art Institute.[4] She lived and worked in Santa Cruz, California,[1] and was a member of the Bay Area artist collective, Group Nine.[citation needed] Her work has been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries in the United States and abroad. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery.[citation needed]
- ^ a b c Cacicedo, Jean Williams (March 2004). "In Memoriam K. Lee Manuel". Ornament. 27 (3): 13.
- ^ a b "K. Lee Manuel". craftinamerica.org. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
- ^ Mills, Rosie Chambers; Tigerman, Bobbye (2016). Beyond Bling. Los Angeles and New York: Los Angeles County Museum Art and DelMonico Books/Presel. p. 83.
- ^ Hamaker, Barbara (June 1989). "K. Lee Manuel's splendid ceremonial raiments". Ornament. 12 (4): 40.