A new exhibition at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art uses artworks from the CRMA’s extensive collection to shine a spotlight on clothing—what it says about the artist who highlighted it, the person who wears it, and the culture it comes from. The images in Dressed Up (And Down): Depictions of Clothing in the Collection range from scenes of high society to farms and college campuses, exploring many aspects of our society.
“Drawn from the CRMA’s permanent collection, this exhibition encourages the viewer to focus on the clothing represented in the artwork,” says Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Julia Jessen. “It often illuminates the person represented, the culture that surrounds them, and the artist’s technique.”
The exhibition includes over 50 pieces spanning 400 years of history and reflecting many areas of life. “Clothing often plays a supporting role in art compositions, but it can be critically important in providing the viewer with clues as to the figure’s societal status, place of origin, or occupation,” says Executive Director Sean Ulmer. “One’s garb often tells you much about who they are, or who they purport to be.”
Other exhibitions currently on view are Against the Grain: The Art of John Schwartzkof (through April 27), illuminating his 50-year career working in sculptural forms. Schwartzkof’s intuitive sense of building playful forms is visible, and his elegant way of highlighting an object’s structure comes to the forefront. Beyond the Object: Women in Abstraction (through October 26) reevaluates the contributions of overlooked female artists working in abstraction.
The CRMA’s collection contains more than 8,000 works of art by hundreds of artists, including the world’s largest collection of works by Grant Wood. For more information on exhibitions or related programs call the Museum at (319) 366.7503 or visit the Museum’s website at www.crma.org. Museum hours: noon to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; noon to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.