This page is dedicated to the drawings, paintings, and sculpture of

Lillian Rammel

 

 

Lillian Rammel began her formal visual art studies in dress design at the Chicago Academy of Design and in oil painting and design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Married to photojournalist John Rammel she lived in Decatur, Illinois in the late 1940s through the 1950s and was active in the Decatur Art League associated with Millikin University. Moving back to the Chicago area in the early 1960s she was a charter member of the Skokie Art League and exhibited her paintings, collages, and assemblages widely in art fairs throughout Chicago and vicinity. After moving to Milwaukee in 1965, she continued her formal studies at the Layton School of the Arts and took metal working and welding classes at the MATC. Much of her work throughout the 70s and 80s explored various combinations of metal and ceramics, in the form of decorative free-standing or wall-mounted sculptures, masks, and abstract studies. She continued to exhibit actively in Milwaukee-area art fairs and regional galleries throughout southeastern Wisconsin.

"I work in brass, copper, steel, and found objects using acetylene-oxygen welding, combining various metals, some old, some new, and explore color, texture, and shape to express movement and depth. I find it most interesting to let the metals dictate their final shape. I started out painting in oils but have gradually discovered more satisfaction and enjoyment in working in three dimensions and using found objects. I experiment with patinas and heat to try to duplicate the colors of paintings to bring more life to the various metals." (Lillian Rammel)

 

Two masks from the early 1980s combining ceramic forms with "copper sheet face decorations and steel rod frame." Photo by John Rammel.

 

Early paintings by Lillian Rammel are on view on this next page.

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If you own work by Lillian Rammel or met her during her many years of exhibitng in the midwest we would enjoy hearing from you. Please contact us at penumbra@execpc.com.

 

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