Racine Art Museum Debuts New Figurative Work to Contemporary Craft Collection
The figure is used to tell stories, to symbolize existence, and to represent the human condition. Open January 18 - May 3, 2015, Body Language: New Acquisitions of Figurative Work reflects our desire to study, analyze, and respond to the human body as form and content. Whether clay, fiber, or paint on canvas, the works in this exhibition underscore the enduring artistic interest in the body as subject.
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Manuel Neri, Maha-Ceramic Relief II, 1986
Fired clay with pigment
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Manuel Neri Trust
Photography: Jon Bolton, Racine
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Reflecting a range of approaches to depicting the human form, Body Language includes two- and three-dimensional full-body figures--nude and clothed--as well as fragments, such as a head or feet. The difference in methods and materials reflects the pervasive nature of the subject and the diversity of work in the museum's collection. The pieces on display represent gifts from the last three years--works new to RAM, many of which have not been on display before.
The museum is pleased to present multiple works by two internationally-known artists, Manuel Neri (1930 - ) and Mimmo Paladino (1948 - ). Both artists are associated with movements that emphasized expressive gesture, line, surface, and color. Both investigate the figure as form and content. Their work is featured prominently to reflect their significant roles in contemporary art and as important artists new to RAM's collection.
Body Language: New Acquisitions of Figurative Work 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, W.T. Walker Group, Inc.; Silver Sponsors - Elwood Corporation, Helen Bader Foundation, Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation, Runzheimer Foundation, Inc., Wisconsin Arts Board; Bronze Sponsors - CNH Industrial, EC Styberg Foundation, Educators Credit Union, The Garvey Group, In Sink Erator, Modine Manufacturing Foundation, The Norbell Foundation, Orkney Springs Retreat, Polyform Products, Inc., Real Racine, Robert W. Baird Foundation, Ruud Family Foundation.
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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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