Represent: Exploring Portraits from RAM's Collection

This exhibition features pieces that embrace the idea of a portrait as an investigation of character and situation, tangible details, and abstract elements. From self-portraits to works that encapsulate the essence of a subject through metaphor or emotion, these works encourage contemplation about how human beings understand one another as well as the world around them. At a time when selfies and casual “snaps,” are ever more present and popular, it is interesting to consider what it means to explore and understand the self and others through two and three-dimensional representations.

FEATURED ARTIST
On view now is a small selection of the work of Milwaukee-based artist Kierston Ghaznavi. She creates articulated paper dolls that represent, in her own works, "black pop culture, afro-centric natural hair, positive imagery of black women, self-love and awareness." She translates her childhood interest in playing with dolls and drawing characters from her imagination into an exploration of identity, realized through anonymous subjects or personal friends. With a process that takes anywhere from three to eight hours per piece, Ghaznavi draws subjects with pen, markers, or ink wash and transforms them into dolls with moveable limbs that range from seven to 24 inches tall.

MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Exhibition Notes
Shop the Exhibition
Press Room


EXHIBITION EVENTS
Meet the Artist Kierston Ghaznavi
during the Free Family Hands-On Activity
on Free First Friday, August 2
4:00 - 8:00 pm

ARTISTS IN THE EXHIBITION
Ann Agee, Wesley Anderegg, Jeannette Montgomery Barron, Norman Bergsma, Mary Bero, Carol Blanchard, Frank Boyden, Gibson Byrd, John Cederquist, David Chatt, Francesco Clemente, Van Deren Coke, Warrington Colescott, George Condo, Cristina Córdova, Claire Curneen, Dan Dailey, Baron Adolph De Meyer, Arnold Eagle, Jack Earl, Robert W. Ebendorf, Edward S. Eberle, Elise Engler, Susan Evans, Laszlo Fekete, Kierston Ghaznavi, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Ruth Anne Grove, Philippe Halsman, Andrew Herman, David Hockney, W. Stephan Hodder, Laurie Hogin, David V. Holmes, Coille Mclaughlin Hooven, Judith Hoyt, Marvin Israel, Sergei Isupov, Sylvester Jerry, Enid Kaplan, Kenneth A. Kerslake, Esther Knobel, George Krause, John Krewal, Marie Laurencin, Peter Lenzo, Michael Lucero, Kurt Markus, Joseph Martin, Paul Matzner, Richard Meitner, Linda Schwam Merkel, Odd Nerdrum, Jim Nutt, Karl J. Priebe, Claire Prussian, Clifford Rainey, Minna Resnick, David A. Robbins, Leslie Roth, Bonnie Schiffman, Esther Shimazu, Kim Simonsson, Paul Smith, Louis Stettner, Cynthia Toops, Beth Van Hoesen, Charles Von Urban, Claire Van Vliet, Janusz Walentynowicz, John Wilde, Katharine Wood, and Irina Zaytceva