Rockford Art Museum opens new exhibition Phyllis Bramson: In Praise of Folly – A Retrospective, 1985–2015 on Friday, Oct. 9 with a preview reception and gallery walk with the artist for museum members from 5 to 7 p.m., immediately followed by a free public opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Live music and a cash bar begin during the members preview and continue through the public opening. Sponsored by BMO Private Bank, the solo retrospective exhibition remains on view through Jan. 31 at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford.
New exhibition Phyllis Bramson: In Praise of Folly opens Oct. 9 at RAM
Rockford Art Museum opens new exhibition Phyllis Bramson: In Praise of Folly – A Retrospective, 1985–2015 on Friday, Oct. 9 with a preview reception and gallery walk with the artist for museum members from 5 to 7 p.m., immediately followed by a free public opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Live music and a cash bar begin during the members preview and continue through the public opening. Sponsored by BMO Private Bank, the solo retrospective exhibition remains on view through Jan. 31 at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford.
Phyllis Bramson’s unique visual language has captivated the Chicago art scene for more than three decades. The work represented in this 30-year retrospective starts with the second phase of her impressive career. Incorporating strong female images that teeter on the edge of being suggestive, Bramson’s work is an alluring aphrodisiac that draws viewers into the fantastical world of seduction and sends them on flights of imagination. Integrating masterful collage with thin wisps of paint diversely spread across the canvas, her imagery is familiar—the subtle and not-so-subtle eroticism is painted and collaged in the land of innocence, fairytales and kitsch—but very much her own.
PUBLIC OPENING
FRI, OCT 9 | 7–9 PM, FREE ADMISSION, CASH BAR
ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM
711 NORTH MAIN STREET, ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
To join RAM and attend the MEMBERS PREVIEW (5–7 p.m. on FRI, OCT 9):
https://rockfordartmuseum.org/connect/become-a-member
Three exhibits of work from the RAM Permanent Collection are also on view at Rockford Art Museum in the lower-level gallery: Retracing Roots, with work by Thornton Dial, Lonnie Holley, Mose Tolliver, and members of the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective, among others; Warrington Colescott: Collective Follies, with the legendary printmaker’s History of Printmaking Series; and Portrait of a Lady, featuring George P.A. Healy, Hovsep Pushman, Lorado Taft, and more.
Phyllis Bramson: In Praise of Folly – A Retrospective, 1985–2015 is organized by Rockford Art Museum, curated by RAM Curator Carrie Johnson. This exhibition and its related educational programming are sponsored by BMO Private Bank, and partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and by the Armer Ahlstrand Charitable Foundation. All education programs are sponsored in part by Women’s Art Board.
PHYLLIS BRAMSON: IN PRAISE OF FOLLY
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
TO REGISTER GO TO ROCKFORDARTMUSEUM.ORG
All programs take place at RAM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford IL 61103
GOING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER (AGES 7–12)
SAT, OCT 24 | 9–11 AM, $10
REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY OCT 19
Inspired by Phyllis Bramson’s work Going from One Place to Another in the new exhibition, you’ll learn the art of collage and assemblage – how to mix and match different objects to create your own visual story. All supplies included.
ARTIST LECTURE: PHYLLIS BRAMSON
THU, NOV 19 | 7:30 PM, FREE
Learn more about exhibiting artist Phyllis Bramson and her prolific body of work in this engaging talk with the artist herself. Free and open to the public, no registration required.
CORK + CANVAS (AGES 21+)
THU, DEC 10 | 6–8 PM, $40
REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY DEC 7
Join us for CORK + CANVAS, a “sip and paint” class at RAM. We’ll provide everything you need for a creative evening – including step-by-step instructions, a canvas, paint, paintbrushes, and wine. Bring your friends and enjoy a glass while you create a masterpiece to take home!
For more information log on to rockfordartmuseum.org or call Rockford Art Museum at (815) 968-2787.
