Margie Jervis and Susie Krasnican
Shadow Vessel, 1987
Glass
15 3/4 x 9 x 4 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Donald and Carol Wiiken
Photography: Jon Bolton

Dynamic Duos: Collaborative Glass Artists from RAM’s Collection

October 12, 2022 – February 11, 2023
at Racine Art Museum

Historically, certain traditions of art history have tended to most value artworks made by a single person. What does it mean when a finished work is comprised of the talents of more than one artist? Even a popular artist such as Rembrandt van Rijn has works attributed to a “studio”—a designation that means, in essence, that Rembrandt was not solely responsible for the final piece. Comprised of artwork from RAM’s collection, this exhibition investigates artistic practices and the particular challenges and rewards of working collaboratively, yet it also raises questions about how such working processes break down assumptions about historical models that privilege a single artist. And, significantly, it celebrates the innovation and perseverance of artists who were making a name for a material that was sometimes marginalized and treated as less significant in the scope of contemporary art.

The artist teams whose works are featured—Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott, Margie Jervis and Susie Krasnican, and Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace—have each had significant careers in contemporary glass. While they are not the only artistic duos working in the field that RAM collects, they stand out as they are represented by multiple works.

While delighted to highlight artwork incorporating glass at any time, RAM is incredibly proud to do so in 2022, which has been designated the International Year of Glass by the United Nations to celebrate the heritage and importance of the material in all facets of life.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Dynamic Duos: Collaborative Glass Artists from RAM’s Collection

October 12, 2022 – February 11, 2023
at Racine Art Museum
Margie Jervis and Susie Krasnican
Shadow Vessel, 1987
Glass
15 3/4 x 9 x 4 1/2 inches
Racine Art Museum, Gift of Donald and Carol Wiiken
Photography: Jon Bolton

Historically, certain traditions of art history have tended to most value artworks made by a single person. What does it mean when a finished work is comprised of the talents of more than one artist? Even a popular artist such as Rembrandt van Rijn has works attributed to a “studio”—a designation that means, in essence, that Rembrandt was not solely responsible for the final piece. Comprised of artwork from RAM’s collection, this exhibition investigates artistic practices and the particular challenges and rewards of working collaboratively, yet it also raises questions about how such working processes break down assumptions about historical models that privilege a single artist. And, significantly, it celebrates the innovation and perseverance of artists who were making a name for a material that was sometimes marginalized and treated as less significant in the scope of contemporary art.

The artist teams whose works are featured—Benjamin Edols and Kathy Elliott, Margie Jervis and Susie Krasnican, and Joey Kirkpatrick and Flora Mace—have each had significant careers in contemporary glass. While they are not the only artistic duos working in the field that RAM collects, they stand out as they are represented by multiple works.

While delighted to highlight artwork incorporating glass at any time, RAM is incredibly proud to do so in 2022, which has been designated the International Year of Glass by the United Nations to celebrate the heritage and importance of the material in all facets of life.

More About the Exhibition

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Sample of Work in the Exhibition

Click/tap an image for more information

Installation View

Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:

Platinum Partners

The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
David Charak
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Ron and Judith Isaacs
Racine Community Foundation logo
United Way Of Racine County logo
Windgate Foundation

Diamond Partners

Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Foundation for the Arts
Diane Zebell

Gold Partners

Anonymous
A.C. Buhler Family
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Wisconsin Arts Board 50th Anniversary Logo

Silver Partners

Anonymous
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Baird
Lucy G. Feller
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Sharon and Tom Harty
Dave and Judy Hecker
Paula Kalke
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Lang Family Foundation
Dorothy MacVicar
Jan Serr & John Shannon
Sandra Shove
Willard and Mary Walker

Bronze Partners

Carol Baylon
Rose and Peter Christensen
Dave’s Wine Garage
Educators Credit Union
Patricia and Richard Ehlert
Express Employment Professionals
Deborah Ganaway
Carol Griseto
Hitter’s Baseball
SC Johnson
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy and Nick Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
JoAnna Poehlmann
Rasmussen Diamonds
Harold and Lois Solberg
Kathy Stranghellini
Tito’s
Twin Disc
Janna Waldeck
Barbara Waldman

Media Sponsor

Radio Milwaukee logo

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