“Weathering the Storm” is an exhibition of new paintings by Chicago-based artist Lauren Feece, opening January 13th at Elephant Room Gallery. The exhibition is a personal journey for the artist, reflecting her current state of mind in the process as she invites her family to have a hand in the creation of the work. The result is a powerful exploration of collaboration, connection and self-awareness.

The paintings are similar to Lauren’s previous work in that they capture an ethereal quality, but they are more abstract in their shapes and forms, referencing nature instead of the human face or figure. The interaction of her daughters, mother and grandmother while creating certain pieces is an important aspect to the overall exhibition as it ties the workshops that will happen in the gallery to the studio process in the creation of “Weathering the Storm.” Participants in these workshops will be able to collaborate with a child, partner, loved one or friend on a painting under the guidance and direction of Feece.

After experiencing a transcendent moment in her life, Feece shifts the perspective of her work and focuses on the deconstruction of natural elements like wind, rain and water, and our connection to those elements as they relate to our overall awareness. “I paint these journeys, dreams and visions. In the act of painting I exercise my power to create and my ability to reimagine the world. Soon, I realize I do not want to do this work alone. I invite my daughters, my mother, my grandmother, to make art with me. We play at creation and collaboration. Together we grow in our collective power to create. My process becomes such a joyful connection that it moves my work into new places. I am inspired to create with fearlessness.” – Feece.

Back in the summer of 2017, the directors of non-profit S.H.E. Gallery and Elephant Room Gallery got together at a booth at the LakeFX Creative Con at the Chicago Cultural Center to offer visitors a chance to form their own exhibition proposal as either curator or artist. Dulce Maria Diaz and Kimberly Atwood listened to participant’s ideas, helped them form proposals and then selected an artist who would be given the chance to see their exhibition come to life in the first exhibition of the New Year at Elephant Room Gallery. Lauren Feece is that artist.

“Weathering the Storm” runs from January 13th through February 17th, 2018 at Elephant Room Gallery, located at 704 S Wabash Ave. in the South Loop Neighborhood of Chicago. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, January 13th from 6pm to 9pm.

Official Website

More events on this date

Tags: Chicago, Elephant Room Gallery, Lauren Feece, Loop, Weathering the Storm