
Kierston Ghaznavi
Mother and Child Reunion, 2018
Pen, marker, cardstock, glue, metal brads, and twine
7 x 7 inches
Courtesy of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton
Represent: Exploring Portraits from RAM’s Collection
January 20 – September 1, 2019
This exhibition features pieces that embrace the idea of a portrait as an investigation of character and situation, tangible details, and abstract elements. From self-portraits to works that encapsulate the essence of a subject through metaphor or emotion, these works encourage contemplation about how human beings understand one another as well as the world around them. At a time when selfies and casual “snaps,” are ever more present and popular, it is interesting to consider what it means to explore and understand the self and others through two and three-dimensional representations.
Featured Artist
On view now is a small selection of the work of Milwaukee-based artist Kierston Ghaznavi. She creates articulated paper dolls that represent, in her own works, “black pop culture, afro-centric natural hair, positive imagery of black women, self-love and awareness.” She translates her childhood interest in playing with dolls and drawing characters from her imagination into an exploration of identity, realized through anonymous subjects or personal friends. With a process that takes anywhere from three to eight hours per piece, Ghaznavi draws subjects with pen, markers, or ink wash and transforms them into dolls with moveable limbs that range from seven to 24 inches tall.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Ann Agee, Wesley Anderegg, Jeannette Montgomery Barron, Norman Bergsma, Mary Bero, Carol Blanchard, Frank Boyden, Gibson Byrd, John Cederquist, David Chatt, Francesco Clemente, Van Deren Coke, Warrington Colescott, George Condo, Cristina Córdova, Claire Curneen, Dan Dailey, Baron Adolph De Meyer, Arnold Eagle, Jack Earl, Robert W. Ebendorf, Edward S. Eberle, Elise Engler, Susan Evans, Laszlo Fekete, Kierston Ghaznavi, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Ruth Anne Grove, Philippe Halsman, Andrew Herman, David Hockney, W. Stephan Hodder, Laurie Hogin, David V. Holmes, Coille Mclaughlin Hooven, Judith Hoyt, Marvin Israel, Sergei Isupov, Sylvester Jerry, Enid Kaplan, Kenneth A. Kerslake, Esther Knobel, George Krause, John Krewal, Marie Laurencin, Peter Lenzo, Michael Lucero, Kurt Markus, Joseph Martin, Paul Matzner, Richard Meitner, Linda Schwam Merkel, Odd Nerdrum, Jim Nutt, Karl J. Priebe, Claire Prussian, Clifford Rainey, Minna Resnick, David A. Robbins, Leslie Roth, Bonnie Schiffman, Esther Shimazu, Kim Simonsson, Paul Smith, Louis Stettner, Cynthia Toops, Beth Van Hoesen, Charles Von Urban, Claire Van Vliet, Janusz Walentynowicz, John Wilde, Katharine Wood, and Irina Zaytceva
Represent: Exploring Portraits from RAM’s Collection
January 20 – September 1, 2019

Kierston Ghaznavi
Mother and Child Reunion, 2018
Pen, marker, cardstock, glue, metal brads, and twine
7 x 7 inches
Courtesy of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton
This exhibition features pieces that embrace the idea of a portrait as an investigation of character and situation, tangible details, and abstract elements. From self-portraits to works that encapsulate the essence of a subject through metaphor or emotion, these works encourage contemplation about how human beings understand one another as well as the world around them. At a time when selfies and casual “snaps,” are ever more present and popular, it is interesting to consider what it means to explore and understand the self and others through two and three-dimensional representations.
Featured Artist
On view now is a small selection of the work of Milwaukee-based artist Kierston Ghaznavi. She creates articulated paper dolls that represent, in her own works, “black pop culture, afro-centric natural hair, positive imagery of black women, self-love and awareness.” She translates her childhood interest in playing with dolls and drawing characters from her imagination into an exploration of identity, realized through anonymous subjects or personal friends. With a process that takes anywhere from three to eight hours per piece, Ghaznavi draws subjects with pen, markers, or ink wash and transforms them into dolls with moveable limbs that range from seven to 24 inches tall.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Ann Agee, Wesley Anderegg, Jeannette Montgomery Barron, Norman Bergsma, Mary Bero, Carol Blanchard, Frank Boyden, Gibson Byrd, John Cederquist, David Chatt, Francesco Clemente, Van Deren Coke, Warrington Colescott, George Condo, Cristina Córdova, Claire Curneen, Dan Dailey, Baron Adolph De Meyer, Arnold Eagle, Jack Earl, Robert W. Ebendorf, Edward S. Eberle, Elise Engler, Susan Evans, Laszlo Fekete, Kierston Ghaznavi, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Ruth Anne Grove, Philippe Halsman, Andrew Herman, David Hockney, W. Stephan Hodder, Laurie Hogin, David V. Holmes, Coille Mclaughlin Hooven, Judith Hoyt, Marvin Israel, Sergei Isupov, Sylvester Jerry, Enid Kaplan, Kenneth A. Kerslake, Esther Knobel, George Krause, John Krewal, Marie Laurencin, Peter Lenzo, Michael Lucero, Kurt Markus, Joseph Martin, Paul Matzner, Richard Meitner, Linda Schwam Merkel, Odd Nerdrum, Jim Nutt, Karl J. Priebe, Claire Prussian, Clifford Rainey, Minna Resnick, David A. Robbins, Leslie Roth, Bonnie Schiffman, Esther Shimazu, Kim Simonsson, Paul Smith, Louis Stettner, Cynthia Toops, Beth Van Hoesen, Charles Von Urban, Claire Van Vliet, Janusz Walentynowicz, John Wilde, Katharine Wood, and Irina Zaytceva
Gallery of Work
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
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.
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