What was the first object you bought with your own money? What did your parents’ living room look like? What dish are you afraid to break?
Claim, Consume, Curate examines the material culture of modern life in three contexts. “The Home,” “The Boutique,” and “The Museum” include over fifty functional objects from the UWM Art Collection. Here, we examine how people use objects to express their identity, belonging, and memory. These meanings then allow objects to inform a sense of place. Observe the changes in functional art prompted by the growing middle class, industrialization, the rise of shopping, and a shift in museum culture. How have these changes affected you?
Explore your answer at the exhibition and its “Interactive Station” where you can touch objects and sketch your connections. To get involved with special programs like gallery talks and special tours contact hrsheets@uwm.edu.
This is one of two Graduate Student Exhibits opening at the Emile H. Mathis Art Gallery in February 2020.