Ritual of Motion: Young Curators 2025

January 17 – May 3, 2025

2025 Young Curators 

Ella Beaulieu, Hampden Academy

Layla Messahel, Hampden Academy

Ruby Sanders, John Bapst Memorial High School 

Indigo Santana, Bangor High School 

 

The Zillman Art Museum is pleased to present a selection of artwork curated by its class of 2024-2025 Young Curators. This innovative program is unique to ZAM and provides local high school students with an in-depth opportunity to experience the behind-the-scenes workings of an art museum. Students conduct research and collaborate to create a unique exhibition from the collection. 

Ritual of Motion highlights two-dimensional pieces that explore the energy and movement of people, from daily activities such as brushing one’s teeth twice a day to coming-of-age occasions like Bar/Bat Mitzvah or First Communion. The exhibition features artwork, both representational as well as abstract, that is infused with rhythm and motion. In Stella Johnson’s photograph, Day of the Dead Tamales, Mexican women are gathered around a table shaping masa into corn husks. This ceremonial practice is performed as an offering to the deceased. Several of the abstract images selected are not prescribed rituals but imply motion through mark-making and formal elements. These works are part of the story that our Young Curators are hoping to tell. 

  • Pierre Alechinsky (Belgian, born 1927). Windows series, all 1978. Color lithograph and etching. Gift of London Arts, Inc., 78.204.2; 204.3; 204.5; 204.6.G
  • Jack Balas (American, born 1955). The Audition (#1204), 2015. Watercolor, acrylic, and ink. Gift of the artist, 2018.4.2
  • Jonathan Borofsky (American, born 1942). People Running, 1977-1982. Lithograph. Gift of Robert Venn Carr Jr., Class of 1938, 87.1.4
  • Roy De Forest (American, 1930-2007). Primitive Time, 1993. Lithograph. Gift of Sandra S. Jackson, 99.4.3
  • Andie Dinkin (American, born 1991). Pool Patio, 2014. Etching with aquatint. Museum purchases, 2019.1
  • Takeshi Hara (Japanese, born 1942). Strokes 83-2, 1983. Lithograph. Bequest of Robert Venn Carr Jr., Class of 1938, 2004.9.70
  • Stella Johnson (American, born 1953). All works: Gift of the artist.
    • Day of the Dead Tamales. Amilcingo, Morelos, Mexico, 2003. Gelatin silver print. 2007.15.9
    • Halloween Mask. Amilcingo, Morelos, Mexico, 2003. Gelatin silver print. 2007.15.12
  • Käthe Kollwitz (German, 1867-1945).
    • Tod, Frau und Kind (Death, Woman and Child), 1910. Etching (restrike). Museum purchase, 64.20.G
    • Los Bruch (Out Break) from The Peasants War series, Plate: 1903. Etching and aquatint. Gift in honor of Donald M. & Ruth Stewart, 2013.10
  • Mimmo Paladino (Italian, 1897-1929). Atlantico Series #5, 1987. Linocut with collograph. Gift of Robert Venn Carr Jr., Class of 1938, 88.14.4