At RAM’s Wustum Museum

Contemporary art jewelry often investigates cultural, social, personal, and environmental topics. Distinguished by a vocabulary of diverse media from precious metals to recycled objects, it also reflects artists’ interests in material exploration and notions of wearability. RAM’s holdings in art jewelry—with examples from artists from across the globe at varying stages in their careers—have grown rapidly.

Artistic self-consciousness often drives those who make work considered “art jewelry,” though this is just part of a much larger conversation. Makers explore a wide variety of issues, materials, and themes, while utilizing media—both precious and non-precious—that encourage the exploration of jewelry and its history. In this selection of seven artists of color from RAM’s collection, the emphasis is on materials not traditionally anticipated for use in jewelry, such as polymer, safety pins, and silicone.

While there are theoretically no limitations to the materials any artist can use, there have historically been barriers to some artists of color in the United States—indirect or otherwise—to access tools, materials, or studio spaces. At this moment, more and more efforts are being made to support and encourage the work of artists of color while drawing attention to existing work.

Following the solo exhibition of Nicole Acosta, which featured photographs of people of the global majority wearing hoop earrings, this exhibition emphasizes an idea that RAM often explores: how adornment can go beyond decoration to become a symbolic and layered space for meaning.

While some of the work in this exhibition has been shown in the galleries at RAM, all of these pieces are making their debut at Wustum.

Image: Lorena Angulo

Milagro Heart Tree of Life, 2022

Bronze, coral and turquoise beads, brass wire, and stainless steel wire

4 7/8 x 3 7/8 x 3/4 inches

Racine Art Museum, Windgate Foundation Contemporary Craft Acquisition Grant

Photography: Jon Bolton