
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
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

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
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
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Sponsors
City of Racine’s Grow Racine Grant
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
Tom and Irene Creecy
Richard and Patricia Ehlert
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board
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.
Lise Iwon
J. Jeffers & Co.
Johnson Financial Group
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors
Ellen and Joseph Albrecht
Andis Foundation
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Bill and Debbie Keland
Susan Manalli
Jean and Alex Mandli, Jr.
The Prairie School
Cathy Stanghellin
Twin Disc, Inc.