The Ringling Museum of Art will present a major museum exhibition highlighting contemporary artists who incorporate cast-off or disposed materials in their creation of new works.  Featuring the work of 10 artists—including established artists such as El Anatsui and Nick Cave, in addition to emerging and mid-career artists such as Jill Sigman and Mac Premo—“Re:Purposed” will explore several of the distinct trends among artists who consistently “repurpose” garbage or detritus in their respective practices. Evolving from Marcel Duchamp’s early 20th century development of the “readymade” and continuing the tradition of assemblage, these artists reinvent non-traditional materials to create artworks, encouraging new thinking about the objects and materials that surround us.  Organized by Matthew McLendon, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at The Ringling, the exhibition will be on view from February. 13 through May 17. Showcasing approximately 20 works of art, “Re:Purposed” will bring these inventive artists together for the first time and will present their work across three themes: “Identity,” “Index,” and “Environment.”  

The Ringling