Frances Myers
Summer Afternoon at Trocadero, ca.1975
Color etching, edition 7/25
23 5/8 x 19 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Karen Johnson Boyd
Silhouette: Capturing the Human Form in Contemporary Prints and Art Jewelry
October 21, 2020 – July 3, 2021
at Racine Art Museum
Artists have long been concerned with representing the human form—either as portrait, anonymous figure, imagined being, or something in between. By definition, silhouette refers to either a particular type of portrait comprised of the outline of a form that was popularized in the nineteenth century, or more generically, the outline of a mass, body, or form. The tradition of silhouette portraits, in addition to the metal figures that adorn the surface of Mary Giles’ works in the gallery adjacent to Silhouette, serve as inspiration for this look at the human form in contemporary prints and art jewelry.
While prints and jewelry may not seem like obvious partners for exploring the body, both can reflect the figure in two dimensions. Using different tools, media, and approaches, all of the artists represented in this exhibition explore how to best use the human form as either a compositional element, storytelling device, or representation of an idea. Unlike traditional silhouettes, some of the works included are more detailed, a practice which adds qualities of character and personality. Similarly, an artist’s choice of material can shape impressions of what is being depicted. For example, consider how shifting from colorful, textured figures represented in the jewelry of Joyce Scott to flat, black and white prints of fragmented figures by Michael Mazur expands ideas about the human condition or the body as a conveyor of meaning.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Harold Altman, Kathleen Browne, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Robert W. Ebendorf, Jedd Garet, Terri Gelenian-Wood, Juan Genovés, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Annette Zolin Hirsh, Judith Hoyt, Edwin Kalke, Jung-Hoo Kim, Esther Knobel, Keith Lo Bue, Michael Mazur, Bruce Metcalf, Frances Myers, Manuel Neri, John Piper, Joyce Scott, Christina Y. Smith, Anthony C. Stoeveken, Katharine Wood, and Santos Zingale
Silhouette: Capturing the Human Form in Contemporary Prints and Art Jewelry
October 21, 2020 – July 3, 2021
at Racine Art Museum
Frances Myers
Summer Afternoon at Trocadero, ca.1975
Color etching, edition 7/25
23 5/8 x 19 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Karen Johnson Boyd
Artists have long been concerned with representing the human form—either as portrait, anonymous figure, imagined being, or something in between. By definition, silhouette refers to either a particular type of portrait comprised of the outline of a form that was popularized in the nineteenth century, or more generically, the outline of a mass, body, or form. The tradition of silhouette portraits, in addition to the metal figures that adorn the surface of Mary Giles’ works in the gallery adjacent to Silhouette, serve as inspiration for this look at the human form in contemporary prints and art jewelry.
While prints and jewelry may not seem like obvious partners for exploring the body, both can reflect the figure in two dimensions. Using different tools, media, and approaches, all of the artists represented in this exhibition explore how to best use the human form as either a compositional element, storytelling device, or representation of an idea. Unlike traditional silhouettes, some of the works included are more detailed, a practice which adds qualities of character and personality. Similarly, an artist’s choice of material can shape impressions of what is being depicted. For example, consider how shifting from colorful, textured figures represented in the jewelry of Joyce Scott to flat, black and white prints of fragmented figures by Michael Mazur expands ideas about the human condition or the body as a conveyor of meaning.
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Harold Altman, Kathleen Browne, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Robert W. Ebendorf, Jedd Garet, Terri Gelenian-Wood, Juan Genovés, Danielle Gori-Montanelli, Annette Zolin Hirsh, Judith Hoyt, Edwin Kalke, Jung-Hoo Kim, Esther Knobel, Keith Lo Bue, Michael Mazur, Bruce Metcalf, Frances Myers, Manuel Neri, John Piper, Joyce Scott, Christina Y. Smith, Anthony C. Stoeveken, Katharine Wood, and Santos Zingale
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
Installation View
Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
Anonymous
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
Ron and Judith Isaacs
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
David Charak
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Dave’s Wine Garage
Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow
Sheri and Frank Sullivan
Wisconsin Arts Board
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Susan Boland
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Carol Griseto
Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo
Hitter’s Baseball
Debbie and Chuck Hoffman
Susan and Dan Horton
Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart
Paula Kalke
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
Rita Petretti
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Twin Disc
Marc J. Wollman
Amy and Robb Woulfe
Media Sponsor
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