Investigating the Natural World with Inorganic Materials

Racine Art Museum is pleased to present (in)Organic open through February 1, 2015. This exhibition features artists investigating the biological through artificial materials, such as polymer or acrylic yarn, or organic-based media, like fibrous handmade paper, pencils, or ceramic. Whether exploring cellular structures or creating extraordinary representations of familiar forms, these artists create work that straddles the permeable lines between chaos and disorder, the beautiful and the monstrous, and the contained and pervasive.

Maggie Maggio, Temptation, 2012 Polymer, 14 x 14 x 5 inches Photo: Courtney Frisse

Undeniably, the natural world is a popular and compelling area of interest and exploration for contemporary artists. In fact, as subject matter, the natural world has been a persistent and provocative theme throughout art and design history. What distinguishes the work of certain artists early in the twenty-first century is a desire to explore the connection between human beings and the larger, organic world through specific material choices and/or as a topic relating to growth, outgrowths, and perhaps, even an overabundant nature.

Artists whose works are featured in (in)Organic include: Harriete Estel Berman, Leslie Blackford, Peter Chang, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Jessica Drenk, Kathleen Dustin, Nora Fok, Jasmyne Graybill, Amy Gross, Maggie Maggio, Bruce Metcalf, Keizuke Mizuno, Jillian Moore, Masako Onodera, Katie Poterala, Leisa Rich, Michelle Samour, Bonnie Seeman, Melanie West, and Tatayna Yanishevsky.

(in)Organic: Labs

In the gallery on the second floor, (in)Organic: Labs features installations by artists Wendy Wallin Malinow and Edgar Mosa who extend the conversation started by (in)Organic. The artists were invited by RAM to experiment within this gallery space. For Malinow and Mosa, the natural world is a source of inspiration as well as a framework through which they can explore cycles of life, and ideas about growth.

Special Event:

RAM Members Exhibition Event
On Friday, October 17, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Racine Art Museum will host an exhibition event that offers a unique opportunity to meet some of the artists featured in (in)Organic. This members' event includes light refreshments and is also open to the public with general admission of $10. RAM Members are free.

(in)Organic is made possible at Racine Art Museum by: Platinum Sponsors - Karen Johnson Boyd and William B. Boyd, SC Johnson, Windgate Charitable Foundation; Diamond Sponsor - Sam and Gene Johnson Fund; Gold Sponsors - Herzfeld Foundation, Johnson Bank, Racine Community Foundation, Racine United Arts Fund; Silver Sponsors - Elwood Corporation, Helen Bader Foundation, Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, Runzheimer Foundation, Inc., W.T. Walker Group, Inc., Wisconsin Arts Board; Bronze Sponsors - 88NINE Radio Milwaukee, CNH Industrial, EC Styberg Foundation, Educators Credit Union, The Garvey Group, In Sink Erator, Miracle on Canal Street, The Norbell Foundation, Orkney Springs Retreat, Real Racine, Robert W. Baird Foundation, Ruud Family Foundation