Body Language: New Acquisitions of Figurative Work

January 18 – May 3, 2015
at Racine Art Museum

Manuel Neri
Maha-Ceramic Relief II, 1986
Fired clay with pigment
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Manuel Neri Trust
Photography: Jon Bolton

The figure is used to tell stories, to symbolize existence, and to represent the human condition. Featuring works new to RAM’s collection, Body Language 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 included in this exhibition underscore the enduring artistic interest in the body as subject.

The figure has been represented in two and three dimensions as far back as records can be found. Classes based on the study of the human form and anatomy have long served as a basis for academic art training. While a body can be used to denote the human presence, emotions, mood, and actions—as well as function as a compositional element—modern artists have also sought to use it as a “site” for investigating social, cultural, and personal issues. As just one example, in the 1970s and 1980s, many artists were looking at how attitudes about women and their place in society could be understood by looking at how a female body was depicted. What differences were there between nude and clothed representations? How did the look of the body itself reflect social or cultural attitudes?

Reflecting a range of approaches to depicting the human form, Body Language includes both two- and three-dimensional full-body figures—nude and clothed—and 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 RAM’s collection. The pieces included represent gifts from the last three years—works new to RAM, many of which have not been on display before.

RAM is pleased to present multiple works by two internationally known artists, Manuel Neri and Mimmo Paladino. 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.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Artists in the Exhibition

Robert Arneson, William Bernstein, Jappie King Black, Nancy Carman, Paul Caster, Warrington Colescott, Lena Cronqvist, Jean Crane, Erwin Eisch, Shane Fero, Franz Gertsch, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Cindy Hickok, Judith Hoyt, Sergei Isupov, Rosita Johanson, Geo Lastomirsky, Lisabeth Levine, Schomer Lichtner, Michael Lucero, Eikoh Hosoe, June Jason, Frank Lobdell, Michael Mazur, Norma Minkowitz, Judy Moonelis, Odd Nerdrum, Manuel Neri, Matt Nolen, Mimmo Paladino, Michael Pry, Gerhard Ribka, Marissa Saneholtz, Edwin Scheier, Akio Takamori, Xavier Toubes, Marlene True, Beth Van Hoesen, Patty Warashina, Ann Wolff, Beatrice Wood, Katharine Wood, Irina Zaytceva