John Cederquist
Never Without His Sword, 2004
Wood, epoxy resin, and lithographic ink
81 5/8 x 37 3/4 x 25 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of The Estate of Linda Brooks Sullivan
Photography: Jon Bolton
Fool the Eye: Addressing Illusion in Contemporary Art
February 9 – September 24, 2022
at Racine Art Museum
Traditionally, the phrase trompe l’oeil (French for fool or deceive the eye) is associated with two-dimensional imagery that appears to be three-dimensional space or objects. While the phrase gained popularity in the early nineteenth century, illusionistic images—especially as associated with artistic endeavors—were being created centuries before that in Greco-Roman mosaics, Renaissance cathedral ceilings, and Dutch still lives. More modern interpretations include large-scale murals on building exteriors as well as street chalk drawings.
Trompe l’oeil artwork is regarded by some as the manipulation of materials with highly technical skill. In addition, there is a kind of humor implicit in the object’s creation—knowing that the viewer will likely have a moment of surprise or disbelief. Expanding on this, contemporary artists use illusion to draw attention to the meaning of objects, to suggest narratives and stories of human presence or absence, or to comment on society, culture, and history.
Three-dimensional explorations of illusion have often included suggesting one material through another—such as sculpting “fabric” made of marble. This exhibition, with works drawn from RAM’s collection, features contemporary interpretations of trompe l’oeil technique. While most of the works included are three-dimensional, two-dimensional examples offer more direct links to art historical precedents.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Susan Beiner, John Cederquist, Carol Cohen, Karen Dahl, James Doran, Paul Dresang, Tom Eckert, David Furman, Harold E. Hansen, Manuel Hughes, Tory Hughes, Ron Isaacs, Ah Leon, Marilyn Levine, Dulany Lingo, Lindsay Locatelli, Wen Xia and Jian Xing Lu, Wendy Wallin Malinow, Steven Montgomery, Richard Newman, Richard Shaw, Victor Spinski, and John Wickenberg
Fool the Eye: Addressing Illusion in Contemporary Art
February 9 – September 24, 2022
at Racine Art Museum
John Cederquist
Never Without His Sword, 2004
Wood, epoxy resin, and lithographic ink
81 5/8 x 37 3/4 x 25 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of The Estate of Linda Brooks Sullivan
Photography: Jon Bolton
Traditionally, the phrase trompe l’oeil (French for fool or deceive the eye) is associated with two-dimensional imagery that appears to be three-dimensional space or objects. While the phrase gained popularity in the early nineteenth century, illusionistic images—especially as associated with artistic endeavors—were being created centuries before that in Greco-Roman mosaics, Renaissance cathedral ceilings, and Dutch still lives. More modern interpretations include large-scale murals on building exteriors as well as street chalk drawings.
Trompe l’oeil artwork is regarded by some as the manipulation of materials with highly technical skill. In addition, there is a kind of humor implicit in the object’s creation—knowing that the viewer will likely have a moment of surprise or disbelief. Expanding on this, contemporary artists use illusion to draw attention to the meaning of objects, to suggest narratives and stories of human presence or absence, or to comment on society, culture, and history.
Three-dimensional explorations of illusion have often included suggesting one material through another—such as sculpting “fabric” made of marble. This exhibition, with works drawn from RAM’s collection, features contemporary interpretations of trompe l’oeil technique. While most of the works included are three-dimensional, two-dimensional examples offer more direct links to art historical precedents.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Susan Beiner, John Cederquist, Carol Cohen, Karen Dahl, James Doran, Paul Dresang, Tom Eckert, David Furman, Harold E. Hansen, Manuel Hughes, Tory Hughes, Ron Isaacs, Ah Leon, Marilyn Levine, Dulany Lingo, Lindsay Locatelli, Wen Xia and Jian Xing Lu, Wendy Wallin Malinow, Steven Montgomery, Richard Newman, Richard Shaw, Victor Spinski, and John Wickenberg
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Installation View
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Sponsors
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Barbara Waldman
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Anonymous
Baird
Beta Diagnostic Labs
A.C. Buhler Family
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Jim Harris
Sharon and Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Susan Boland
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
Norbell Foundation
Cathy Stanghellini
Twin Disc
Media Sponsor
