May 7, 2025 – May 22, 2025 ~ By Appointment only
The Italian Cultural Institute of Washington, in collaboration with Govinda Gallery, presents “The Golden Doors to Infinity”, an exhibition by William Adair showcasing abandoned doors as symbolic entryways into differing communities and cultures that carry with them the voices of artists and individuals alike.
This extraordinary exhibition is a joyous and explosive amalgamation of the artistic endeavors of William Adair, encompassing his role as artist, gilder, frame-maker, and historian of crafts. The collection of discarded doors, covered in gold leaf, give testimony to those who, at significant landmarks and historic sites, have impressed their thoughts upon them. The doors become thus witnesses of time, absorbing the thoughts, words, and images of their surrounding communities through their ever-changing surface, overlapping, abrading, and referencing the history and value they are built upon.
Four of Adair’s Golden Doors are tied to historic events related to Italian Liberation from Nazi-Fascism: The Gela Door, The Rome Door, The Volterra Door, and The Door of Reflections, which have all been exhibited at the American Academy of Rome.
Dates may be subject to change. Please check your email before coming on the day of your appointment to make sure last minute changes were not necessary due to unforeseeable circumstances.
Registration required.
LOCATION
Embassy of Italy
3000 Whitehaven Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Click on button below for availability
REGISTRATION REQUIRED AND ACCEPTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH EVENTBRITE
ABOUT WILLIAM ADAIR
William B, Adair began his career at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, where he worked for 10 years as a frame conservator. First trained as an artist, he then developed an expertise from Henry Heydenryk, in frame history and gilding techniques as practiced in European workshops. In 1982 he formed his own company in Washington, D.C., Gold Leaf Studios, to specialize in historic frame making, conservation and restoration of gilded antiques. Through the years his clients have included the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and many museums and private collections. His studio has now been gleaned to an international staff of four specialists trained in the tradition of frame making and conservation.
Adair was curator for the 1983 exhibition, The Frame in America, 1700-1900, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects. In 1995 another exhibition, The Frame in America: 1860- 1960, was on view at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington D.C. and traveled to other museum venues for 4 years. Since that time, he has been conducting research, lecturing, and giving workshops on frame history and gilding techniques.
He founded the Society of Gilders in 1985, an international organization dedicated to promoting the art of gilding. In 1991, he was awarded the Rome Prize in design by the American Academy in Rome. Through his interest in frame research, he has been able to assemble a collection of rare frames, which has developed into a comprehensive study collection for the International Institute for Frame Study. He is a member of the American Institute for Conservation and is currently working towards completing a book on the history and care of picture frames.
