08/31/2026
“I use both pattern and image to record my stories. My intention is to challenge the subordination of pattern in Western art. I surround image with pattern, putting both on equal ground. The pattern does not function simply as a frame, but it is essential to the narrative.”
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, artist and educator Charlene Nemec-Kessel (1970 – 2023) worked across various media throughout her career with a focus on fiber. A significant body of Nemec-Kessel’s work consists of woven and embroidered pieces that frame the composition in dense fields of pattern which she considers to be equally as important as the central image. In these works, she often draws on historical weaving traditions, incorporating symbols from late Renaissance and Medieval tapestries into her work. Often narrative in content, Nemec-Kessel uses her figurative work to explore topics such as the power play between genders. She notes that her narratives often are drawn from observation of those around her, with stories evolving as the weaving progresses. Nemec-Kessel is represented in RAM’s collection by one work.
Image Credits:
Charlene Nemec-Kessel, Goldfinch in a Bramble, 1994, Dyed cotton thread and fabric, 20 1/4 x 18 5/8 x 1 1/2 inches, Racine Art Museum, Gift of Darcy Walker, Photography: Rachel Comande, Currently on display at RAM’s Wustum Museum in Stitched Stories: Narrative Quilts and Textiles through November 21, 2026
