Barbara Galan
Lniana Tablica (The Flaxboard), ca. 1990
Linen and flax
53 1/2 x 54 x 1 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Camille and Alex Cook
Photography: Jon Bolton
RAM Collects: Contemporary Polish Fiber Art from Camille and Alex Cook
October 18, 2015 – February 7, 2016
at Racine Art Museum
Poland experienced a dramatic shift in the late twentieth century as it transformed from a communist regime to a democracy. Living in a country that was experiencing intense social and political change, artists were self-consciously making work that reflected personal interests and that expanded upon—or deviated from—more traditional modes of working.
Challenged with material limitations, Polish fiber artists embraced the possibilities of atypical media, innovative techniques, and/or compelling content. Traditional processes, such as weaving or knotting, served as the groundwork for experimentation. Artists felt free to explore abstract concepts while playing with material properties and dynamic compositions.
Since the 1970s, Lödz, Poland—the historical site of a significant textile industry—has been the home for a triennial exhibition of fiber-related work by almost 150 artists from over 50 countries. This survey of innovative fiber from across the globe significantly impacts the artists of the host country, as well as those further afield.
Nuanced in different ways and affected by various cultural changes, fiber art produced over the last 50 years has reflected artists’ interests in exploring the limits of materials, challenging techniques and construction, reflecting social and personal issues, and expanding the definition of what fiber art means today.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Grazyna Brylewska-Pedzialek, Maria Teresa Chojnacka, Barbara Galan, Lilla Kulka, Andrzej Rajch, and Jolanta Rudzką-Habisiak
RAM Collects: Contemporary Polish Fiber Art from Camille and Alex Cook
October 18, 2015 – February 7, 2016
at Racine Art Museum
Barbara Galan
Lniana Tablica (The Flaxboard), ca. 1990
Linen and flax
53 1/2 x 54 x 1 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Camille and Alex Cook
Photography: Jon Bolton
Poland experienced a dramatic shift in the late twentieth century as it transformed from a communist regime to a democracy. Living in a country that was experiencing intense social and political change, artists were self-consciously making work that reflected personal interests and that expanded upon—or deviated from—more traditional modes of working.
Challenged with material limitations, Polish fiber artists embraced the possibilities of atypical media, innovative techniques, and/or compelling content. Traditional processes, such as weaving or knotting, served as the groundwork for experimentation. Artists felt free to explore abstract concepts while playing with material properties and dynamic compositions.
Since the 1970s, Lödz, Poland—the historical site of a significant textile industry—has been the home for a triennial exhibition of fiber-related work by almost 150 artists from over 50 countries. This survey of innovative fiber from across the globe significantly impacts the artists of the host country, as well as those further afield.
Nuanced in different ways and affected by various cultural changes, fiber art produced over the last 50 years has reflected artists’ interests in exploring the limits of materials, challenging techniques and construction, reflecting social and personal issues, and expanding the definition of what fiber art means today.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Grazyna Brylewska-Pedzialek, Maria Teresa Chojnacka, Barbara Galan, Lilla Kulka, Andrzej Rajch, and Jolanta Rudzką-Habisiak
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
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.
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
Media Sponsor
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