Zoe Morrow
Folded Bill Basket, 1989
Shredded currency
10 x 10 x 6 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Gabriel, Jr.
Photography: Jarvis Lawson
Zero Waste: Objects
January 31 – October 12, 2024
at Racine Art Museum
The incorporation of found, “non-art” materials into artworks is generally regarded as a modern approach, dating to the early 1900s. The artist may alter these objects for use in their work, but the original appearance is often retained to some degree to construct layers of meaning. As the home of North America’s largest contemporary craft collection, RAM also houses numerous works created from found materials—candy, clothespins, dollar bills, postcards, tools, zippers, and more.
Artists gravitate towards using found objects for numerous reasons: the objects may suggest another time or space; encourage a reconsideration of something familiar; reflect concerns with consumption and the environmental effects of mass production; and/or draw on personal, historical, political, social, or pop culture references.
Drawn entirely from RAM’s collection, this exhibition—and the one that replaces it in the fall—highlights artists that repurpose materials originally intended for a use other than art. The exhibitions 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.”
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Jerry Bleem, Susie Colquitt, Tara K. Daly, Linda Dolack, Robert W. Ebendorf, John J. Grant, Kathleen Holmes, Judith Hoyt, Janice Lowry, Wendy Maruyama, Zoe Morrow, Judy Mulford, Noa Nadir, Joy Raskin, Takako Saito, Norman Sherfield, Karyl Sisson, Kiff Slemmons, Lenore Tawney, Billie Jean Theide, Josette Urso, Ellen Wieske, David Williamson, and Roberta Williamson
Zero Waste: Objects
January 31 – October 12, 2024
at Racine Art Museum
Zoe Morrow
Folded Bill Basket, 1989
Shredded currency
10 x 10 x 6 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Gabriel, Jr.
Photography: Jarvis Lawson
The incorporation of found, “non-art” materials into artworks is generally regarded as a modern approach, dating to the early 1900s. The artist may alter these objects for use in their work, but the original appearance is often retained to some degree to construct layers of meaning. As the home of North America’s largest contemporary craft collection, RAM also houses numerous works created from found materials—candy, clothespins, dollar bills, postcards, tools, zippers, and more.
Artists gravitate towards using found objects for numerous reasons: the objects may suggest another time or space; encourage a reconsideration of something familiar; reflect concerns with consumption and the environmental effects of mass production; and/or draw on personal, historical, political, social, or pop culture references.
Drawn entirely from RAM’s collection, this exhibition—and the one that replaces it in the fall—highlights artists that repurpose materials originally intended for a use other than art. The exhibitions 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.”
More About the Exhibition
Artists in the Exhibition
Jerry Bleem, Susie Colquitt, Tara K. Daly, Linda Dolack, Robert W. Ebendorf, John J. Grant, Kathleen Holmes, Judith Hoyt, Janice Lowry, Wendy Maruyama, Zoe Morrow, Judy Mulford, Noa Nadir, Joy Raskin, Takako Saito, Norman Sherfield, Karyl Sisson, Kiff Slemmons, Lenore Tawney, Billie Jean Theide, Josette Urso, Ellen Wieske, David Williamson, and Roberta Williamson
Sample of Work in the Exhibition
Click/tap an image for more information
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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