Internationally Renowned Photorealism Art from the Private Collection of Pieper Electric, Inc.

Exhibition Dates: November 18, 2018 to February 24, 2019

Location: Kenosha Public Museum (KPM), 5500 1^st Avenue, Kenosha, WI 53140

The KPM exhibit presents a rare opportunity to view a large collection of paintings in the Photorealism Movement. It is a style created by painting in such a way the work appears to be a photograph. The movement began primarily in the U.S. in the late 1960s and early 70’s. It was a reaction against Abstract Expressionism and an evolution from Pop Art.

Usually, the painters selected every day even mundane subjects such as close up urban environments, cars and trucks or parts thereof, motorcycles, diners, storefronts, toys and neon lights. When people are involved they are middle class presented in humble surroundings.

The exhibit artists represent the most important founders as well as their acolytes. Artists include: Robert Bechtel, Charles Bell, Tom Blackwell, Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, Ron Kleemann, Richard McLean, John Salt, John Baeder, Robert Cottingham and the very well-known Chuck Close.

This art was of initial interest to Richard R. Pieper, Sr. and the company because watercolors are an unforgiving medium; they require an unambiguous technique-thus representing the difficulties of all craft people’s work especially electrical personnel yet these workers are often underappreciated.

In 1982, Pieper Electric, Inc. began the focused collection of these original ten photorealists. After collection completion in 1994, it was shared in galleries throughout the U.S. and individual pieces have been in major exhibits around the world. This exhibit is under the curatorial supervision of Gina Radant and Rachel Klees Anderson.

This exhibit is an amalgam of Pieper Electric’s respect for the exquisite craftsmanship of electrical workers and all who work with their hands. It is also a furtherance of its mission to share and be a part of the communities in which it works. The paintings are metaphors for that respect. The company has been a Wisconsin corporation since 1947; currently, sister companies are located in seven states in the upper Midwest and the Southeast. One of its branches is located in Kenosha, WI.

For more exhibit information see the KPM website: https://museums.kenosha.org/public/exhibits-2/special/