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Racine Art Museum Showcases its Holdings in Contemporary Clay
The Racine Art Museum's contemporary craft collection-the largest in the United States-currently has more works in ceramic than any other singular media. RAM is pleased to present Magic Mud: Masterworks in Clay from RAM's Collection, open February 2 through May 4, 2014. This large-scale group exhibition emphasizes the depth and richness of the museum's holdings in contemporary sculptural and functional clay. The show premieres an impressive array of ceramic pieces, including Toshiko Takaezu's Star Series that has not been shown in its entirety since debuting at RAM in 2005.
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Toshiko Takaezu
Nommo, Unas, Nephythys, Po Tolo (Dark Companion), and Isis (Sirius), 1999-2000, From the Star Series
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Artist
Photography by Michael Tropea, Chicago
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In 1999, a gift of almost 250 teapots from collector Donna Moog both defined and highlighted a collecting strength of the museum, and set the stage for future gifts and acquisitions. Represented by sculptural, as well as functional, works created by both emerging and established artists, RAM's holdings in clay are dynamic and diverse.
While not encyclopedic, Magic Mud emphasizes the variety of work in the museum's collection by primarily featuring either multiple examples of an artist's work and/or one significant piece that is relatively large in size and scope. With functional and sculptural work, as well as an installation, this show reflects the varied face of ceramics in the United States over the last few decades. A number of options for different clay bodies, firing, and building techniques are represented.
Artists whose works are featured include Christina Cordova, Eddie Dominguez, Jack Earl, James Lovera, Michael Lucero, Mark Pharis, Jeff Oestreich, Beth Cavener Stichter, Toshiko Takaezu, Peter Voulkos, and Paula Winokur.
The staging of this exhibition coincides with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) annual conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 19-22, 2014. With work from RAM's extensive collection as well as loaned objects on display, the museum's spring 2014 exhibition series focuses on ceramics. Dynamic and varied, the shows include White Gold: The Appeal of Lustre, open February 9 - July 6, which features contemporary sculpture, pottery, and adornment that utilizes shiny materials, such as lustre glazes and gold details. Open February 23 - June 8, Collection Focus: Sergei Isupov showcases the work of this innovative artist who has pushed the possibilities of clay by combining two-dimensional narrative with three-dimensional ceramic form.
This exhibition is made possible in part by: Presenting Sponsors - Karen Johnson Boyd and William B. Boyd; SC Johnson; Windgate Charitable Foundation; Gold Sponsors - Sam and Gene Johnson Fund; National Endowment for the Arts; Racine United Arts Fund; Silver Sponsors - Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation; W.T. Walker Group, Inc.; Wisconsin Arts Board; Bronze Sponsors - 88NINE Radio Milwaukee; CNH Industrial; Corner House; Craft in America PBS Series; E.C. Styberg Foundation, Inc.; Educators Credit Union; In Sink Erator; Miracle on Canal Street; The Norbell Foundation; Perimeter Gallery, Chicago; Real Racine; Ruud Family Foundation; Carol C. Saunders.
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