Phillip Fike
American jewelry artist
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Phillip Fike | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1927 Baraboo, Wisconsin |
| Died | December 8, 1997 (aged 69–70) Grosse Pointe, Michigan |
| Known for | Metalsmith |
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.