Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: The Lady Is Not for Burning

Opening reception: Sunday, March 12, 1-3pm

Exhibition on view February 12-April 12, 2017

1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN

South Shore Arts is pleased to present the sixth in its Outstanding Midwest Artist Series, Eleanor Spiess-Ferris: The Lady Is Not for Burning. Trees, birds, poisonous plants, mythological symbols, the female form, and, especially, water gather to make up a symbolic stew of expressive elements in Spiess-Ferris' work.

The artist states, “My work reflects a deep involvement with my native New Mexico—not as much visually as spiritually. My childhood was a melting pot of surreal attitudes surrounded by such diversities as the Spanish Penitentes, early Catholic retablos, and American Indian artifacts. All were woven among family tales and myths. My ancestors were among the first Spanish settlers of Northern New Mexico.

“I spent most of my time as a child in a wild apple/plum orchard that grew on our small farm. It was there that I discovered an imaginary world beyond the real. I enjoy juxtaposing the frightening with the beautiful, the comic with the tragic, the real with the unreal. My adult self, my schooled self, my Chicago self have embraced such western artists as Hieronymus Bosch, James Ensor, Paul Delvaux and, certainly not least, the Mexican masters as well. These two worlds have informed my art and given voice to my vision.”

Image: Eleanor Spiess-Ferris, Hair Pins, 2009, Gouache, Collection of Audrey Niffeneggar