Craft in Color

March 6, 2024 – January 11, 2025
at Racine Art Museum

Kevin Snipes
Hooz Yer Mammy (Vessel), 2012
Glazed porcelain
9 x 2 1/2 x 4 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of David and Jacqueline Charak
Photography: Jon Bolton

In a modern context where artists are investigating topics of their choosing and exploring with whatever materials they desire, who the artist is and how they move through the world becomes a part of the work’s content. Viewers may not have to know the details of an artist’s biography to appreciate their work, but those details can add layers of perspective and meaning.

This exhibition features works in clay, glass, and metal by artists of color drawn from RAM’s collection. Artists do not need to reference their identity in their work; however, it is valuable to recognize that heritage informs choices on a conscious or unconscious level as a part of the artists’ lived experiences. While most of this work is not directly issue-oriented, the fact that the makers themselves—as artists of color—have experienced a wide range of implicit and explicit biases is a sub-context worthy of consideration. Seen through that lens, the story these objects tell is even more complex.

RAM used to show the work of artists of color without calling attention to it. While determining what truly defines an “artist of color” is a challenge—and the phrase itself implies White artists are the default—this exhibition is about ensuring artists of multiple and varied backgrounds are seen. RAM is dedicated to showing this work in a variety of contexts and, most importantly, to implement new pathways toward equity.

Owing to the physical dynamics of this gallery space, all pieces included are made of non-light-sensitive materials. While the work of artists of color has been, and will continue to be, shown in multiple contexts at RAM and RAM’s Wustum Museum, this is the largest exhibition to date dedicated to these artists from the collection.

More About the Exhibition

Press Room

Artists in the Exhibition

Mike Bird-Romero, Gail Bird, Lidya Buzio, Yuyen Chang, Marie Zieu Chino, Chunghi Choo, Christina Eustace, Marvin Fang, Laritza Garcia, April Higashi, Tina Fung Holder, Margaret Ponce Israel, Makoto Ito, Yazzie Johnson, Cliff Lee, Silvia Levenson, Emma Lewis Mitchell, Michael Lucero, Louis Mendez, Mineo Mizuno, Harumi Nakashima, Jasper Nelson, Sung-Hee Park, Gustavo Pérez, Maribel Portela, Yoko Sekino-Bové, Stella Shutiva, Art Smith, Kevin Snipes, Therman Statom, Toshiko Takaezu, Joan Takayama-Ogawa, Sachiko Uozumi, Chela Veloz, Paul Andrew Wandless, Patti Warashina, Acquaetta Williams, Jade Snow Wong, Minako Yamane-Lee, Hiroshi Yamano, and Brent Kee Young