Barbara Galan
Lniana Tablica (The Flaxboard), ca. 1990
Linen and flax
53 1/2 x 54 x 1 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Camille and Alex Cook
Photography: Jon Bolton
RAM Collects: Contemporary Polish Fiber Art from Camille and Alex Cook
October 18, 2015 – February 7, 2016
at Racine Art Museum
Poland experienced a dramatic shift in the late twentieth century as it transformed from a communist regime to a democracy. Living in a country that was experiencing intense social and political change, artists were self-consciously making work that reflected personal interests and that expanded upon—or deviated from—more traditional modes of working.
Challenged with material limitations, Polish fiber artists embraced the possibilities of atypical media, innovative techniques, and/or compelling content. Traditional processes, such as weaving or knotting, served as the groundwork for experimentation. Artists felt free to explore abstract concepts while playing with material properties and dynamic compositions.
Since the 1970s, Lödz, Poland—the historical site of a significant textile industry—has been the home for a triennial exhibition of fiber-related work by almost 150 artists from over 50 countries. This survey of innovative fiber from across the globe significantly impacts the artists of the host country, as well as those further afield.
Nuanced in different ways and affected by various cultural changes, fiber art produced over the last 50 years has reflected artists’ interests in exploring the limits of materials, challenging techniques and construction, reflecting social and personal issues, and expanding the definition of what fiber art means today.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Grazyna Brylewska-Pedzialek, Maria Teresa Chojnacka, Barbara Galan, Lilla Kulka, Andrzej Rajch, and Jolanta Rudzką-Habisiak
RAM Collects: Contemporary Polish Fiber Art from Camille and Alex Cook
October 18, 2015 – February 7, 2016
at Racine Art Museum
Barbara Galan
Lniana Tablica (The Flaxboard), ca. 1990
Linen and flax
53 1/2 x 54 x 1 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Camille and Alex Cook
Photography: Jon Bolton
Poland experienced a dramatic shift in the late twentieth century as it transformed from a communist regime to a democracy. Living in a country that was experiencing intense social and political change, artists were self-consciously making work that reflected personal interests and that expanded upon—or deviated from—more traditional modes of working.
Challenged with material limitations, Polish fiber artists embraced the possibilities of atypical media, innovative techniques, and/or compelling content. Traditional processes, such as weaving or knotting, served as the groundwork for experimentation. Artists felt free to explore abstract concepts while playing with material properties and dynamic compositions.
Since the 1970s, Lödz, Poland—the historical site of a significant textile industry—has been the home for a triennial exhibition of fiber-related work by almost 150 artists from over 50 countries. This survey of innovative fiber from across the globe significantly impacts the artists of the host country, as well as those further afield.
Nuanced in different ways and affected by various cultural changes, fiber art produced over the last 50 years has reflected artists’ interests in exploring the limits of materials, challenging techniques and construction, reflecting social and personal issues, and expanding the definition of what fiber art means today.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Grazyna Brylewska-Pedzialek, Maria Teresa Chojnacka, Barbara Galan, Lilla Kulka, Andrzej Rajch, and Jolanta Rudzką-Habisiak
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
Anonymous
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
Ron and Judith Isaacs
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
David Charak
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Dave’s Wine Garage
Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow
Sheri and Frank Sullivan
Wisconsin Arts Board
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Susan Boland
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Carol Griseto
Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo
Hitter’s Baseball
Debbie and Chuck Hoffman
Susan and Dan Horton
Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart
Paula Kalke
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
Rita Petretti
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Twin Disc
Marc J. Wollman
Amy and Robb Woulfe
Media Sponsor
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