Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads

October 21, 2011 – February 5, 2012
at Racine Art Museum

Video produced by Daniel Ross

Featuring over 200 objects made of polymer, including adornment, vessels, and furniture, Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads reflects a short but sweet period in the history of creative endeavors. The exhibition highlights advances in the use of polymer as an artistic material over the last 30 years and forecasts potential for the future. While Terra Nova debuts a large portion of work RAM received to establish a permanent collection of polymer art, it is also comprised of works borrowed from artists, private lenders, and galleries.

Narrowing the focus in order to emphasize how far the field has come in a short time, Terra Nova features 34 artists yet spotlights eight Boundary Breakers—artists who have been recognized within the polymer field and/or by other contemporary craft disciplines, such as Art Jewelry and furniture. The Boundary Breakers—Bonnie Bishoff and J.M. Syron, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Kathleen Dustin, Steven Ford and David Forlano, Tory Hughes, Cynthia Toops, Pier Voulkos, and Elise Winters—will be represented by new works as well as pieces that offer a visual history of their experimentation in polymer. In addition to featuring the Boundary Breakers, supplemental pieces from the museum’s permanent collection will support a historical look at polymer’s development and demonstrate the scope of RAM’s holdings.

More About the Exhibition

Terra Nova: Polymer Art at the Crossroads, Published by Racine Art Museum and available in the RAM Museum Store

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Artists in the Exhibition

Jamey Allen, Kathleen Amt, Bonnie Bishoff and J.M. Syron, Rachel Carren, Dan Cormier, Jeffrey Lloyd Dever, Debra DeWolff, Kathleen Dustin, Steven Ford and David Forlano, Gwen Gibson, Linda Goff, Michael Grove, Ruth Anne Grove, Lindly Haunani, Carl Hornberger, Tory Hughes, Donna Kato, Ronnie Kirsch, Judy Kuskin, Maggie Maggio, Wendy Wallin Malinow, Sandra McCaw, Linda Pedersen, Nan Roche, Sarah Shriver, Carol Simmons, Barbara Sperling, Cynthia Toops, Pier Voulkos, Melanie West, Elise Winters, and Amy Zinman