Gonzalez Jacket (p)
Erman
Jacket, ca. 1995
Found fabric and thread
31 x 42 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Victor Whitman
Photography: Jarvis Lawson

Pieces: Collage and Assemblage from RAM’s Collection

March 12 – June 14, 2025
at Racine Art Museum

As art forms, collage and assemblage are most closely associated with the modern era—particularly the early twentieth century. However, as a technique, collage—with its root word coller meaning to stick together or glue—has been practiced for centuries. While both collage and assemblage involve piecing together materials, collage describes two-dimensional compositions while assemblage generally characterizes three-dimensional works.

Often, although not exclusively, collage and assemblage feature found or non-traditional art media. Many modern and contemporary artists even draw attention to their usage of various, often unexpected materials. Rather than disguising the multiple components of collage and assemblage, they explore ways of combining and expanding the information visually to create a unified whole made of bits and pieces of other things. Artists often engage elements that reflect modern life or larger themes—for example, found and recycled materials, or socially or politically charged images.

Focused on the breadth of two- and three-dimensional work in RAM’s collection, this exhibition includes sculpture, collage, jewelry, quilts, and art to wear compiled from or appearing as a variety of individual pieces. In addition to being an exploration of artist process and material exploration, Pieces underscores the ability of some artists to recontextualize the marginalized or overlooked and to imbue the ordinary with something extraordinary.

With an emphasis on repurposed and found materials, this exhibition supports RAM’s Zero Waste Art Initiative, an ongoing and multi-faceted project encouraging reconsideration of consumption habits and creative solutions for reuse. As outlined by RAM’s Education Department, this initiative “is working to establish partnerships with local businesses and manufacturing plants to reduce their waste and keep it out of landfills by turning these materials into educational, eco-art.”

Artists Under Consideration for Exhibition Inclusion

Artists whose works are being considered include those from across the country, such as Erman (Florida) and Michael Lucero (Tennessee), and those from closer to home, such as Lisa Marie Barber (Racine), Sharon Kerry-Harlan (Milwaukee/Florida), and Michael Velliquette (Madison).

Others under consideration include Joan Backes, Wallace Bowling, Warrington Colescott, Robert Ebendorf, Leopold Foulem, Geoffrey Gorman, Laurie J. Hall, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Janice Lowry, Judy Onofrio, Susan Shie and James Acord, Tommy Simpson, Georgina Treviño, and Roberta and David Williamson.

Pieces: Collage and Assemblage from RAM’s Collection

March 12 – June 14, 2025
at Racine Art Museum
Gonzalez Jacket (p)
Erman
Jacket, ca. 1995
Found fabric and thread
31 x 42 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Victor Whitman
Photography: Jarvis Lawson

As art forms, collage and assemblage are most closely associated with the modern era—particularly the early twentieth century. However, as a technique, collage—with its root word coller meaning to stick together or glue—has been practiced for centuries. While both collage and assemblage involve piecing together materials, collage describes two-dimensional compositions while assemblage generally characterizes three-dimensional works.

Often, although not exclusively, collage and assemblage feature found or non-traditional art media. Many modern and contemporary artists even draw attention to their usage of various, often unexpected materials. Rather than disguising the multiple components of collage and assemblage, they explore ways of combining and expanding the information visually to create a unified whole made of bits and pieces of other things. Artists often engage elements that reflect modern life or larger themes—for example, found and recycled materials, or socially or politically charged images.

Focused on the breadth of two- and three-dimensional work in RAM’s collection, this exhibition includes sculpture, collage, jewelry, quilts, and art to wear compiled from or appearing as a variety of individual pieces. In addition to being an exploration of artist process and material exploration, Pieces underscores the ability of some artists to recontextualize the marginalized or overlooked and to imbue the ordinary with something extraordinary.

With an emphasis on repurposed and found materials, this exhibition supports RAM’s Zero Waste Art Initiative, an ongoing and multi-faceted project encouraging reconsideration of consumption habits and creative solutions for reuse. As outlined by RAM’s Education Department, this initiative “is working to establish partnerships with local businesses and manufacturing plants to reduce their waste and keep it out of landfills by turning these materials into educational, eco-art.”

Artists Under Consideration for Exhibition Inclusion

Artists whose works are being considered include those from across the country, such as Erman (Florida) and Michael Lucero (Tennessee), and those from closer to home, such as Lisa Marie Barber (Racine), Sharon Kerry-Harlan (Milwaukee/Florida), and Michael Velliquette (Madison).

Others under consideration include Joan Backes, Wallace Bowling, Warrington Colescott, Robert Ebendorf, Leopold Foulem, Geoffrey Gorman, Laurie J. Hall, Ana Lisa Hedstrom, Janice Lowry, Judy Onofrio, Susan Shie and James Acord, Tommy Simpson, Georgina Treviño, and Roberta and David Williamson.

Sample of Work in Consideration for the Exhibition

Click/tap an image for more information

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
Racine Community Foundation logo
United Way Of Racine County logo
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell

Gold Sponsors

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 Sponsors

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

Bronze Sponsors

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

Media Sponsor

Radio Milwaukee logo

Love Art?  You’ll Love RAM!

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