Interdisciplinary Design Institute
Seeking a Paradigm Shift in the History of the
Interior Design Profession: Reevaluating the Influence of
Women
John Turpin’s explorations of the history of interior design in America concentrate on the work of Dorothy Draper (1888-1969), a New York designer who pioneered the development of interior design and decor in commercial settings. Turpin’s work exposes the impoverishing effects of patriarchal trends in art and design criticism by highlighting the neglected contributions of Draper and other talented women who enriched the practice and aesthetic of interior design.
Turpin is one of the leading experts on Draper. From his scholarship emerges a uniquely feminine perspective on the relationship between social issues and design, particularly those of equity and diversity, and the values of middle class women between 1925 and 1960.
Turpin seeks collaborations and partnerships with scholars, foundations, and other organizations with common interests in the manifestation of social practices in publicly experienced interior spaces. Specific goals include collaborative planning for publications, conferences, and a definitive monograph on Draper and her contributions to modern interior design.
Contact Information
John Turpin
Associate Professor, ID
Interdisciplinary Design Institute
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource
Sciences
Washington State University Spokane
Telephone: 509-358-7944
E-mail: jturpin@wsu.edu
Arts, Humanities, Culture, and
Design
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