Eleanor Moty
“Skyline” Brooch, 2022
Sterling silver, 18k-gold, and rutilated quartz
3 x 1 3/8 x 5/8 inches
Photography: Eleanor Moty
Quiet Elegance: The Jewelry of Eleanor Moty
August 17, 2022 – January 28, 2023
at Racine Art Museum
Whether referencing the landscape or architecture or both, metalsmith Eleanor Moty creates distinctive jewelry that poetically encompasses both wearer and viewer. Moty first gained recognition in the 1960s and 1970s for using cutting-edge fabrication techniques—such as electroplating and photo-etching—in adornment. She shifted her focus toward including stones in her work and the large-scale brooches she has been creating over the last couple of decades exemplify her dialogue with the “linear imagery” of quartz stones.
In essence, Moty’s elaborate and time-consuming process begins with finding the right stone—which a stonecutter has modified—and building from there. The artist engages with the tone, shape, and features of her chosen stone. Preferring brooches to other forms of jewelry, she remarks on their relatively self-contained nature: “Brooches needn’t be worn to be complete…Not having to fit the piece to the body…I can concentrate on the sculptural aspects.”
Moty has been applauded for her many contributions to the field, including a 28-year teaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison—in a department she helped develop into one of the most well-regarded in the country.
With 12 pieces currently in the collection, including an early photo-etched hand mirror and brooches containing large quartzes, RAM ranks Moty as an archive artist. Featuring over 35 works, including several from RAM’s holdings as well as recently finished pieces, this exhibition owes its name to a recently-published monograph on the artist. It follows a similar arc to the book in representing Moty’s working career to date—over 50 years of making.
In addition to examples of her jewelry, the exhibition will include a video where Moty describes her process in-depth as well as sketches borrowed from the artist.
Quiet Elegance: The Jewelry of Eleanor Moty, published by Arnoldsche Art Publishers, is available through the RAM Museum Store.
More About the Exhibition
Quiet Elegance: The Jewelry of Eleanor Moty
August 17, 2022 – January 28, 2023
at Racine Art Museum
Eleanor Moty
“Skyline” Brooch, 2022
Sterling silver, 18k-gold, and rutilated quartz
3 x 1 3/8 x 5/8 inches
Photography: Eleanor Moty
Whether referencing the landscape or architecture or both, metalsmith Eleanor Moty creates distinctive jewelry that poetically encompasses both wearer and viewer. Moty first gained recognition in the 1960s and 1970s for using cutting-edge fabrication techniques—such as electroplating and photo-etching—in adornment. She shifted her focus toward including stones in her work and the large-scale brooches she has been creating over the last couple of decades exemplify her dialogue with the “linear imagery” of quartz stones.
In essence, Moty’s elaborate and time-consuming process begins with finding the right stone—which a stonecutter has modified—and building from there. The artist engages with the tone, shape, and features of her chosen stone. Preferring brooches to other forms of jewelry, she remarks on their relatively self-contained nature: “Brooches needn’t be worn to be complete…Not having to fit the piece to the body…I can concentrate on the sculptural aspects.”
Moty has been applauded for her many contributions to the field, including a 28-year teaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison—in a department she helped develop into one of the most well-regarded in the country.
With 12 pieces currently in the collection, including an early photo-etched hand mirror and brooches containing large quartzes, RAM ranks Moty as an archive artist. Featuring over 35 works, including several from RAM’s holdings as well as recently finished pieces, this exhibition owes its name to a recently-published monograph on the artist. It follows a similar arc to the book in representing Moty’s working career to date—over 50 years of making.
In addition to examples of her jewelry, the exhibition will include a video where Moty describes her process in-depth as well as sketches borrowed from the artist.
Quiet Elegance: The Jewelry of Eleanor Moty, published by Arnoldsche Art Publishers, is available through the RAM Museum Store.
More About the Exhibition
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Anonymous
A.C. Buhler Family
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paula Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker
Bronze Partners
Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Express Employment Professionals
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy and Nick Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman
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