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Insects and Invaders Arrive at the Racine Art Museum
Annette Corcoran, Painted Bunting, 1986
Porcelain
Racine Art Museum, the Donna Moog Teapot Collection
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago, IL  |
For human beings, insects can be compelling, frustrating
and awe-inspiring creatures, as well as objects of study and
contemplation. Open June 13 through October 17, 2010, Insects and Invaders in RAM's Collection features Racine Art Museum
collection pieces that shine a spotlight not only on insects-whether in
representational or abstract form-but also on some of those animals that are
the necessary "invaders" in their lives, such as birds, frogs and others on the
food chain.
Insects are significant players in the world's ecosystems
and are the food source for numerous animals. In many cultures, insect imagery
carries symbolic meaning. For example, in China, the grasshopper is
connected to ideas of longevity, happiness and good luck, among other
attributes. The scorpion is associated with healing and protection in Egypt,
Tibet and Africa. Selections from RAM's glass, ceramics and wood
collections underscore the connectedness of all creatures on the planet,
especially when considered in conjunction with the other exhibitions currently
on view. These artworks-not just "portraits" but also narrative scenes and
abstract interpretations-highlight how artists use insects and other animals as
a starting point for investigating the relationship between human beings and
the natural world. In addition, they reveal how nature has served as
inspiration and motivation for pattern, form and color.
Unlike many museums that keep works from their permanent
collections on constant display, the Racine Art Museum changes all of its
exhibition galleries three times each year. The museum selects from its
holdings of over 5,000 objects to create specific thematic exhibitions.
Oftentimes, as with Insects and Invaders,
RAM draws on its major exhibitions to suggest topics for permanent collection
shows that run simultaneously at the museum.
The theme for this RAM exhibition is inspired by All the Buzz: Insects Invade RAM, an
exciting collection of exhibits and programs with an artistic focus on insects.
All the Buzz includes nationally respected
artists Catherine Chalmers, Jennifer Angus and JoAnna Poehlmann. For more
information about these exhibitions, events and classes, visit www.ramart.org.
The presentation of this
exhibition at the Racine Art Museum was made possible by: Presenting Sponsors -
Karen Johnson Boyd and William B. Boyd, RAM Society Members, S.C. Johnson &
Son, Inc., The Hearst Foundation, Inc. and Windgate Charitable Foundation; Gold
Sponsors - Racine United Arts Fund, The Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation,
and Wisconsin Arts Board; Silver Sponsors - Osborne and Scekic Family
Foundation and Real Racine; Bronze Sponsors - E. C. Styberg Foundation, Inc.,
In Sink Erator, Midwest Contemporary Glass Art Group, and Target. |
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Together, the two campuses of the Racine Art Museum, RAM in downtown Racine at 441 Main Street and the Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts at 2519 Northwestern Avenue, seek to elevate the stature of contemporary crafts to that of fine art by exhibiting significant works in craft media with painting, sculpture and photography, while providing outstanding educational art programming.
Docent led contemporary craft and architectural tours of the museums are available. Both campuses of the Racine Art Museum, are open to the public Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, and are closed Mondays, Federal holidays and Easter. RAM is open Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm, while Wustum is closed Sundays. An admission fee of $5 for adults, with reduced fees for students and seniors, applies at RAM. Admission to Wustum is free. Members are always admitted without charge to either campus.
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For more information or to request images, please contact:
Laura Gillespie
RAM Marketing Assistant
262.638.8300 x 114
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