"I knew of his iron collection for a while," Douglas said. "I didn't comprehend how I could show it until I saw the book, and the wonderful photographs, which make a nice backdrop to the whole thing."
Although Raymond has not heard directly from passengers, he recently exchanged e-mails with a curator at the San Francisco airport museums who "became aware of the show, and ordered a copy of the book. He is considering mounting a similar show at San Francisco airport," the author said.
Tanya Byrd of Allentown stood recently with her husband, Mike, in front of the irons exhibit and exclaimed, "I love them! There are a couple irons there I'd love to have to actually use, not just to look at."
Galleries in Philadelphia are familiar with art at the airport, and Douglas is a frequent visitor to gallery shows, said Frank Hopson, director of Snyderman-Works Galleries in Old City. "We have a great working relationship. She quite often chooses artists that we work with, and the artists may do a new series for her."
Clients who fly in often mention they have seen certain work at the airport, Hopson said.
Rick DeCoyte, owner of Silicon Gallery in Old City, printed the photographs of the irons on display. More than a year ago, the printmaker had its own photographic exhibition of the irons, timed with the publication of Raymond's book.
"The arts community in Philadelphia is big, but it is also very close. We are constantly having people come in and say they saw Andy Pinkham's work, or the irons," DeCoyte said. "It's one of the nicest things in the airport, and a really great thing that Philadelphia does."
Learn more about the changing art exhibits at Philadelphia International Airport, and view an image gallery, at
Contact staff writer Linda Loyd at 215-854-2831 or lloyd@phillynews.com.
