Zero Waste: Jewelry

October 30, 2024 – February 22, 2025
at Racine Art Museum

Robin Kranitzky and Kim Overstreet
A Charming Narrative, 2014
Sterling silver, steel, and found objects
2 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Gail M. Brown
Photography: Jarvis Lawson

Found items from the natural world, including bone, twigs, shells, and fibers, have often been utilized throughout the history of jewelry to create wearable pieces. While Western jewelry historically had a popular association with precious metals and gemstones—excepting, perhaps, less expensive fashion jewelry—many contemporary art jewelers have found interest in and formed a practice incorporating non-precious materials into their work. Frequent visitors to RAM see contemporary jewelry made of a wide variety of media, including hair curlers, US currency, candy, newspaper, and zippers.

Some materials may be more valuable, durable, or wearable than others. However, if the intent is present, many things can be manipulated to be worn in one way or another. Comprised entirely of works from RAM’s collection, this exhibition highlights art jewelry made from repurposed materials originally intended for a use other than adornment. These works support RAM’s Zero Waste Art Initiative, an ongoing and multi-faceted project encouraging reconsideration of consumption habits and creative solutions for reuse. As outlined by RAM’s Education Department, this initiative “is working to establish partnerships with local businesses and manufacturing plants to reduce their waste and keep it out of landfills by turning these materials into educational, eco-art.”

Artists in the Exhibition

Teri Blond, Pierre Cavalan, Monica Cecchi, Ben J. Cunningham, Kate Cusack, Robert L. Dancik, Mason Douglas, Robert W. Ebendorf, Lisa Fidler, Rowena Gough, Sarah Hood, Judith Hoyt, Chong Ryol Kim, Robin Kranitzky, Keith Lo Bue, Holly Anne Mitchell, Kim Overstreet, Bryan Petersen, David Pimentel, Yuka Saito, Kiff Slemmons, Rebecca Strzelec, Janna Syvänoja, James Thurman, Lauren Vanessa Tickle, Georgina Treviño, David Williamson, Roberta Williamson, and Nancy Worden