James Doran Entomological Doodle Photo Jarvis Lawson
James Doran
Entomological Doodle, 1989
Enamel on copper
11 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Holly Hotchner and Franklin Silverstone
Photography: Jarvis Lawson

Fool Me Once: The Trompe L’oeil Sculpture of Karen Dahl and James Doran

January 22, 2025 – January 10, 2026
at Racine Art Museum

Whether or not something is real or fabricated has become a compelling conversation in a contemporary context as technology allows for the simulation of reality on multiple levels. Artists have been interested in exploring the dynamics of representation and authenticity for many years, but what that actually looks like depends on the artist’s interests as well as what is happening in society at that time. For example, trompe l’oeil (French for fool or deceive the eye) artwork has been an artistic pursuit for centuries. The art form has been historically associated with two-dimensional imagery that appears as three-dimensional space or objects, but can also be applied to three-dimensional objects that, to put it simply, are deceptive in one context or another.

Using clay and enamel on copper, respectively, Canadian artists and married couple Karen Dahl and James Doran explore these concepts through their well-known trompe l’oeil sculptures. The two are not collaborators, but their work is rooted in similar subject matter and a desire to explore what still life means in the modern era. A recent gift of 27 works by Dahl and Doran joined three pieces by Dahl already in RAM’s collection—establishing archive holdings for each artist. Shown intermingled in this exhibition, the works of Dahl and Doran encourage extended viewing and consideration of art history, object meaning, and process.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Fool Me Once: The Trompe L’oeil Sculpture of Karen Dahl and James Doran

January 22, 2025 – January 10, 2026
at Racine Art Museum
James Doran Entomological Doodle Photo Jarvis Lawson
James Doran
Entomological Doodle, 1989
Enamel on copper
11 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Holly Hotchner and Franklin Silverstone
Photography: Jarvis Lawson

Whether or not something is real or fabricated has become a compelling conversation in a contemporary context as technology allows for the simulation of reality on multiple levels. Artists have been interested in exploring the dynamics of representation and authenticity for many years, but what that actually looks like depends on the artist’s interests as well as what is happening in society at that time. For example, trompe l’oeil (French for fool or deceive the eye) artwork has been an artistic pursuit for centuries. The art form has been historically associated with two-dimensional imagery that appears as three-dimensional space or objects, but can also be applied to three-dimensional objects that, to put it simply, are deceptive in one context or another.

Using clay and enamel on copper, respectively, Canadian artists and married couple Karen Dahl and James Doran explore these concepts through their well-known trompe l’oeil sculptures. The two are not collaborators, but their work is rooted in similar subject matter and a desire to explore what still life means in the modern era. A recent gift of 27 works by Dahl and Doran joined three pieces by Dahl already in RAM’s collection—establishing archive holdings for each artist. Shown intermingled in this exhibition, the works of Dahl and Doran encourage extended viewing and consideration of art history, object meaning, and process.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Sample of Work in the Exhibition

Click/tap an image for more information

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Partners

The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Racine Community Foundation logo
United Way Of Racine County logo
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Partners

Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell

Gold Partners

Anonymous
A.C. Buhler Family
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board 50th Anniversary Logo

Silver Partners

Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paula Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker

Bronze Partners

Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Express Employment Professionals
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy and Nick Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman

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