Painted Wood from RAM’s Collection

From colorful opaque layers that dramatically transform the surface to thin washes or stains in natural colors that emphasize the grain, painted wood can take a variety of forms. The practice of applying paint to wood has historical roots. Whether decorative or utilitarian—or both—painted wood has long served in an array of public and private contexts, such as Medieval devotional sculpture, Renaissance altarpieces, and American folk art furniture. Through both traditional and experimental approaches, Wood You Believe It? brings together furniture, art jewelry, sculpture, and wall-hanging works from RAM’s permanent collection to explore the wide range of possibilities that emerge when paint meets wood. Whether turning, sculpting, carving, or constructing, the included artists stretch the boundaries of how we understand this familiar yet versatile material.

Exhibition Notes (PDF)

Press Room

Platinum Partners—Anonymous, The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd, Ron and Judith Isaacs, Racine Community Foundation, The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild, Windgate Foundation; Diamond Partners—David Charak, Ruffo Family Foundation, Ruth Arts Foundation, Travel Wisconsin, 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, Visit Racine County, We Energies Foundation, Wisconsin Arts Board; Bronze Partners—Sandy and Gus Antonneau, Carol Baylon, Susan Boland, Rose and Peter Christensen, Educators Credit Union, Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo, Carol Griseto, Hitters Baseball, Debbie and Chuck Hoffman, Susan and Dan Horton, Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart, SC Johnson, Paula Kalke, Bill and Debbie Keland, Nancy Kurten, Susan Manalli, Norbell Foundation, O&H Danish Bakery, Rita Petretti, Rasmussen Diamonds, Harold and Lois Solberg, E.C. Styberg Foundation, Twin Disc, Marc J. Wollman, Amy and Robb Woulfe; Media Sponsor—Radio Milwaukee