An Aspiring Curator Shares Her Favorites from the Racine Art Museum

In just 10 years, the Racine Art Museum has become
one of the nation’s leading curators of fine contemporary craft, erasing the
line sometimes drawn between artistry and craftsmanship.

RAM is celebrating its 10th
anniversary with a special “Top 10 at 10” exhibition, featuring favorites from
its collection along with a visitor vote to select the top pieces for a special
event this fall. 

We asked Giovanna Gutierrez, a graduate intern and
aspiring museum administrator, to share five favorite pieces and tell why she
responds to them.

 

The Skinny

  • Fun Fact: Racine is home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s SC
    Johnson Wax Administration Building, as well as several Wright homes, including
    Wingspread.
  • Racine
    Art Museum
    441
    Main Street
    Racine, WI 53403
  • ramart.org
  • 262.638.8300

Kathleen
Dustin
Winter
Seeds Neckpiece
, 2009
Polymer and
sterling silver
10 1/4 x 5 5/8
x 1 1/16 inches
Racine Art
Museum, Gift of the Artist

“One of my favorite
pieces is from our polymer jewelry collection, by the artist Kathleen Dustin.
Her works contain a rich texture and design that make them unique and
beautiful. There is also a whimsical and delicate quality to many of her
pieces, and this one is no exception.”

Jeffrey Lloyd Dever
Blossoming Radii, 2006
Polymer, nickel-plated
steel wire, and plastic-coated wire
5 3/8 x 2 9/16 x 1 1/4
inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift
of the Artist

“Jeffrey Lloyd Dever’s
polymer brooches demonstrate remarkable craftsmanship along with a very evident
understanding of color and texture. I enjoy how this brooch shows a variety of
shapes and organic elements that simulate those found in flowers and exotic
plants.”

Robert W.
Ebendorf
Pendant, 2008
Found animal
claw, amethyst, and metal
3 1/8 x 3/4 x
5/8 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Dale
and Doug Anderson

What I like most about
Ebendorf’s work are the fantasy themes that can be interpreted through his
pendants and necklaces. Ebendorf’s jewelry pieces contain natural elements like
precious stones, coral formations and even small, bone-like fragments. There is
a steampunk theme to a couple of his pieces, including this one.”

Janis Mars Wunderlich
Family
Supports
, 2001
Glazed
earthenware
20 1/4 x 10 x
6 1/5 inches
Racine Art
Museum, The Veronica D. Regas Fund Purchase, Dale and Doug Anderson, Karen
Johnson Boyd, Bruce W. Pepich and Lisa Englander

“From teapots to
sculptures, the RAM permanent collection has many unique and eye catching ceramic
pieces. Family Supports by Janis Mars Wunderlich possesses a grotesque
quality that attracts the viewer’s eye. The contrasting pastel colors and the
grotesque creatures that surround the sculpture create a very interesting and
dark theme.”

Michael Lucero
Peacemaker (Seated Totem
Series)
, 2007
Glazed white earthenware
and found wood stool
Racine Art Museum, Gift
of Donna Schneier and Leonard Goldberg in Honor of Davira S. Taragin

Michael Lucero’s ceramic
pieces are also eye-catching and filled with life. The rich colors and textures
create beautiful compositions that contain captivating imagery along with
interesting themes. This large sculpture,
Peacemaker, comprises a number of items that
form a tower of peace and harmony. I especially enjoy the detail he adds, like
the horse at the base of this piece.”

About Giovanna Gutierrez:

Giovanna Gutierrez
recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Parkside with a B.A. in
Art, with a concentration in Art History. Giovanna began her internship with
the Racine Art Museum the fall of 2012 and has worked closely with the
exhibitions team installing shows. Gutierrez plans to pursue a master’s degree.