'Designing For Doris' Duke: Rough Point To Present New Exhibit

NEWPORT, RI—The Newport Restoration Foundation marks its fiftieth anniversary with two new exhibits. The first, "Designing for Doris," explores Doris Duke's influence in preservation, design and art as illustrated in jewelry and paintings. David Webb Jewelry, which created many pieces she wore, is collaborating.

The exhibit also includes drawings, actually architectural plans, of other works which designers produced for Duke.

“These are beautiful drawings that are not often thought of as such because of their utilitarian origins,” says
Margot Nishimura, Director of Museums at Newport Restoration Foundation and curator of the exhibition.
Because they served originally as tools for experimenting with design solutions and visual communication –
between designer, client, and crafts- or tradesmen – drawings like this are rarely shown as works of art.”
“But if you take the time to look closely,” Nishimura continues, “you begin to appreciate these drawings both
for what they can tell us about the close personal role Doris Duke played in the work she commissioned and
for the inherent beauty of the skillfully manipulated line, whatever the application.”

The design exhibit opens at Rough Point on April 5 and runs to Nov. 11. A second exhibit is also opening April 5 about the foundation's 50 year history.

"After learning about the varied design interests of Doris Duke, this year’s visitor to Rough Point travels back
to 1968 – the year Duke founded the Newport Restoration Foundation," the organizers said. In 'To Preserve and Restore', visitors look back on 50 years of the organization’s history and are asked to think about its future.

Courtesy Photo