Norma Minkowitz
Hide Me, 1995
Cotton, shellac, resin, and tree branch
32 x 19 1/2 x 22 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd Cotsen
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago

Basketworks: The Cotsen Contemporary American Basket Collection

September 28, 2008 – January 4, 2009

This exhibition debuts nearly 70 works from a 151-piece gift donated by internationally known fiber collector Lloyd Cotsen. The scope of this exhibition encompasses baskets that vary widely in size and appearance and that incorporates a variety of techniques and media. Many baskets represents traditional techniques like coiling and interweaving combined with traditional techniques like coiling and interweaving combined with traditional materials such as reed, tree bark, and pine needles. Several other baskets in exhibition reflect more inventive approaches. These baskets illustrate a host of non-traditional materials, such as woven copper, found wine bottle corks, hog gut, pistachio shells, and plastics that are assembled in innovative ways.

Mr. Cotsen’s collection is of particular note because the vast majority of the artists it represents are American women. This is a direct reflect of Mr. Cotsen’s belief that American women artists are leaders in advancing fiber as an art medium. He believes these artists are engaged in groundbreaking work that expands how the public perceives the basketry medium as a forum for serious work. Baskets—historically viewed only as functional objects used for storage—can now be explored as three-dimensional sculptural forms.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Artists in the Exhibition

Dona Anderson, Dorothy Gill Barnes, Dail Behennah, Joanne Segal Brandford, Chunghi Choo, Jill Nordfors Clark, Rob Dobson, Lillian Elliott, John Garrett, Maggie Henton, Marion Hildebrandt, Flo Hoppe, Mary Giles, Christine Joy, Gyongy Laky, Naomi Kobayahi, Shereen LaPlantz, Kari Lonning, Mika McCann, John McQueen, Mary Merkel-Hess, Doris Messick, Norma Minkowitz, Judy Mulford, Debora Muhl, Dennis Nahabetian, Leon Niehues, Linda Kelly Osborne, Fran Reed, Jill Romanoke, Ed Rossbach, JoAnne Russo, Betz Salmont, Hisako Sekijima, Karyl Sisson, Billie Ruth Sudduth, Polly Adams Sutton, Ema Tanigaki, Deborah Valoma, Don Weeke, and Jiro Yonezawa

Basketworks: The Cotsen Contemporary American Basket Collection

September 28, 2008 – January 4, 2009
Norma Minkowitz
Hide Me, 1995
Cotton, shellac, resin, and tree branch
32 x 19 1/2 x 22 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Lloyd Cotsen
Photography: Michael Tropea, Chicago

This exhibition debuts nearly 70 works from a 151-piece gift donated by internationally known fiber collector Lloyd Cotsen. The scope of this exhibition encompasses baskets that vary widely in size and appearance and that incorporates a variety of techniques and media. Many baskets represents traditional techniques like coiling and interweaving combined with traditional techniques like coiling and interweaving combined with traditional materials such as reed, tree bark, and pine needles. Several other baskets in exhibition reflect more inventive approaches. These baskets illustrate a host of non-traditional materials, such as woven copper, found wine bottle corks, hog gut, pistachio shells, and plastics that are assembled in innovative ways.

Mr. Cotsen’s collection is of particular note because the vast majority of the artists it represents are American women. This is a direct reflect of Mr. Cotsen’s belief that American women artists are leaders in advancing fiber as an art medium. He believes these artists are engaged in groundbreaking work that expands how the public perceives the basketry medium as a forum for serious work. Baskets—historically viewed only as functional objects used for storage—can now be explored as three-dimensional sculptural forms.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Artists in the Exhibition

Dona Anderson, Dorothy Gill Barnes, Dail Behennah, Joanne Segal Brandford, Chunghi Choo, Jill Nordfors Clark, Rob Dobson, Lillian Elliott, John Garrett, Maggie Henton, Marion Hildebrandt, Flo Hoppe, Mary Giles, Christine Joy, Gyongy Laky, Naomi Kobayahi, Shereen LaPlantz, Kari Lonning, Mika McCann, John McQueen, Mary Merkel-Hess, Doris Messick, Norma Minkowitz, Judy Mulford, Debora Muhl, Dennis Nahabetian, Leon Niehues, Linda Kelly Osborne, Fran Reed, Jill Romanoke, Ed Rossbach, JoAnne Russo, Betz Salmont, Hisako Sekijima, Karyl Sisson, Billie Ruth Sudduth, Polly Adams Sutton, Ema Tanigaki, Deborah Valoma, Don Weeke, and Jiro Yonezawa

Gallery of Work

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Sponsors

Judith and David Flegel Fund
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation

Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
David Charak
Silver Sponsors
Art Bridges
A.C. Buhler Family
Andis Foundation
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Annette Hirsh Family
J. Jeffers & Co.
Dorothy MacVicar
RDK Foundation

Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors

Anonymous
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Get Behind the Arts Studio Tour
William A. Guenther
Tom and Sharon Harty
Tony and Andrea Hauser
David and Judy Hecker
Bradley Lynch
Carlotta Miller
Larry and Barbara Newman
The Norbell Foundation
The Prairie School
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.
Deb and Will Walker

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