Boris Bally
Transit Chair, 2003
Found metal traffic signs, champagne corks, and metal fasteners
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton

Text Message: Words and Letters in Contemporary Art

January 21 – May 6, 2018

While the title of the exhibition plays on the popular digital form of communication, the pieces gathered here are tangible three-dimensional objects made of fiber, ceramic, polymer, paper, and metal as well as two-dimensional works on paper. All works featured are drawn from RAM’s collection. Letters and script are used as design and pattern elements as well as conveyors of meaning, underscoring how contemporary artists recognize the power and complexity of the written word. Examples include teapots decorated with narrative scenes overlaid with accompanying text, contemporary prints that highlight letters from urban signage, and baskets accented with or formed by words and script.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Artists in the Exhibition

Shusaku Arakawa, Karen Aumann, Ralph Bacerra, Boris Bally, Harriete Estel Berman, Jerry Berta, Teri Blond, Kate Boyan, Ken Bova, Barbara Brandel, Caroline Broadhead, Kathleen Browne, Robin Campo, Michael Cohen, Warrington Colescott, Robert Cottingham, Leah Danberg, Kathleen Dustin, Jack Earl, Wayne Farra, Elissa Farrow-Savos, Dikko Faust, Lisa Fidler, Stephen Freedman, Michael Frimkess and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, Gwen Gibson, Teri Greeves, Laurie J. Hall, Walter S. Hamady, Bobby Hansson, Charles Hobson, Jenny Holzer, Jan Hopkins, Tory Hughes, Michael James, Nuala Jamison, Hai-Chi Jihn, Rosita Johanson, Paul Amos Kennedy, Jr., Corita Kent, Ronald King, Anne Kingsbury, Anne Krauss, Alyssa Dee Krauss, Barbara Kruger, Gyöngy Laky, James Lawton, Edna G. Lazaron, Zachary Lechtenberg, Dulany Lingo, Michael Lucero, Paul Mathieu, Scott L. McCarney, John McQueen, Linda Mendelson, Richard Milette, George Joji Miyaski, Matt Nolen, Gugger Petter, Robert Pfeulb, JoAnna Poehlmann, Dalia Ramanauskas, Robert Rauschenberg, Donna Rosenthal, Bird Ross, Joan Schulze, Mark Shapiro, Rebecca Strzelec, Masami Teraoka, Barbara Tentenbaum, Joe Tilson, Loes van Riel, John Wilde, William T. Wiley, Donald Roller Wilson, and Paul Wonner

Text Message: Words and Letters in Contemporary Art

January 21 – May 6, 2018
Boris Bally
Transit Chair, 2003
Found metal traffic signs, champagne corks, and metal fasteners
Racine Art Museum, Gift of the Artist
Photography: Jon Bolton

While the title of the exhibition plays on the popular digital form of communication, the pieces gathered here are tangible three-dimensional objects made of fiber, ceramic, polymer, paper, and metal as well as two-dimensional works on paper. All works featured are drawn from RAM’s collection. Letters and script are used as design and pattern elements as well as conveyors of meaning, underscoring how contemporary artists recognize the power and complexity of the written word. Examples include teapots decorated with narrative scenes overlaid with accompanying text, contemporary prints that highlight letters from urban signage, and baskets accented with or formed by words and script.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Artists in the Exhibition

Shusaku Arakawa, Karen Aumann, Ralph Bacerra, Boris Bally, Harriete Estel Berman, Jerry Berta, Teri Blond, Kate Boyan, Ken Bova, Barbara Brandel, Caroline Broadhead, Kathleen Browne, Robin Campo, Michael Cohen, Warrington Colescott, Robert Cottingham, Leah Danberg, Kathleen Dustin, Jack Earl, Wayne Farra, Elissa Farrow-Savos, Dikko Faust, Lisa Fidler, Stephen Freedman, Michael Frimkess and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess, Gwen Gibson, Teri Greeves, Laurie J. Hall, Walter S. Hamady, Bobby Hansson, Charles Hobson, Jenny Holzer, Jan Hopkins, Tory Hughes, Michael James, Nuala Jamison, Hai-Chi Jihn, Rosita Johanson, Paul Amos Kennedy, Jr., Corita Kent, Ronald King, Anne Kingsbury, Anne Krauss, Alyssa Dee Krauss, Barbara Kruger, Gyöngy Laky, James Lawton, Edna G. Lazaron, Zachary Lechtenberg, Dulany Lingo, Michael Lucero, Paul Mathieu, Scott L. McCarney, John McQueen, Linda Mendelson, Richard Milette, George Joji Miyaski, Matt Nolen, Gugger Petter, Robert Pfeulb, JoAnna Poehlmann, Dalia Ramanauskas, Robert Rauschenberg, Donna Rosenthal, Bird Ross, Joan Schulze, Mark Shapiro, Rebecca Strzelec, Masami Teraoka, Barbara Tentenbaum, Joe Tilson, Loes van Riel, John Wilde, William T. Wiley, Donald Roller Wilson, and Paul Wonner

Gallery of Work

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Sponsors

Judith and David Flegel Fund
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Nicholas and Nancy Kurten
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Sponsors

Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Ruffo Family Foundation

Gold Sponsors
Anonymous
David Charak
Silver Sponsors
Art Bridges
A.C. Buhler Family
Andis Foundation
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Annette Hirsh Family
J. Jeffers & Co.
Dorothy MacVicar
RDK Foundation

Jan Serr and John Shannon
Bronze Sponsors

Anonymous
Susan Boland
Virginia Buhler
Butcher & Barrel/Amos Los Tacos
Educators Credit Union
Express Employment Professionals
Get Behind the Arts Studio Tour
William A. Guenther
Tom and Sharon Harty
Tony and Andrea Hauser
David and Judy Hecker
Bradley Lynch
Carlotta Miller
Larry and Barbara Newman
The Norbell Foundation
The Prairie School
Georgiana Treivush
Twin Disc, Inc.
Deb and Will Walker

Love Art?  You’ll Love RAM!

The mission of the Racine Art Museum is to exhibit, collect, preserve, and educate in the contemporary visual arts. Stay up-to-date about special events as well as support the mission of the largest contemporary craft collection in America: