Artist

Barbara Walter

born Clarendon Hills, IL 1952
Media - portrait_image_113747.jpg - 90417
Courtesy Barbara Walter.
Born
Clarendon Hills, Illinois, United States
Active in
  • Fabius, New York, United States
Biography

Barbara Walter creates rings that are visual “puns.” She is fascinated by mistaken meanings, and by playfully illustrating conversations, daydreams, and tongue twisters, she calls attention to the ways that human beings communicate. The artist hopes that by experiencing such confusion firsthand, the viewer will see the humor in misunderstanding. Her lighthearted attitude shows in the movable parts that she incorporates in each piece, transforming it from functional jewelry to mechanical toy.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Barbara Walter, Spy Decoder Ring, 1995, sterling silver with plastic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sylvia and Eric Elsesser, 2002.72.4A-E
Spy Decoder Ring
Artist
Date1995
sterling silver with plastic
Not on view
Barbara Walter, Poise and Ivy Class Ring III, 1994, cast sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd E. Herman, Director Emeritus, Renwick Gallery, 2006.40.4
Poise and Ivy Class Ring III
Artist
Date1994
cast sterling silver
Not on view
Barbara Walter, Two-Finger Carousel Ring Toy (The Brass Ring), 1979, lost-wax cast sterling silver and sheet-fabricated and soldered silver with copper, brass, steel, and pearl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Libby Cooper, 1997.29, © 1979, Barbara Walter
Two-Finger Carousel Ring Toy (The Brass Ring)
Artist
Date1979
lost-wax cast sterling silver and sheet-fabricated and soldered silver with copper, brass, steel, and pearl
Not on view
Barbara Walter, Poise 'n Ivy League Class Ring, 1995, cast, roll-printed, and fabricated sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sylvia and Eric Elsesser, 2002.72.5
Poise ​‘n Ivy League Class Ring
Artist
Date1995
cast, roll-printed, and fabricated sterling silver
Not on view