MAINSITE Contemporary Arts hosts two solo exhibitions from from artists and painters Ellen Moershel and Michael Fischerkeller from Friday, August 9 through Friday, September 13.
The exhibitions debut with an opening reception from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, August 9 and ends with a closing reception from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, September 13 at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main, Norman. Fischerkeller will give an artist talk on his process, ideas, techniques and inspiration at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 8. Both receptions and the artist talk are free and open to the public.
Primal by Ellen Moershel
Moershel is an abstract painter who works in many mediums including gouache, acrylic and oil paint. As an admirer of the anti-form artists of the late 60s, she uses aspects of automatic drawing and abstract sculpture to create depth in her pieces while retaining ambiguity when it comes to defining background and subject. Ellen’s work uses the principles of both minimalism and maximalism by juxtaposing sumptuous amounts of bare canvas with concentrated spots of highly detailed imagery. She often examines Post-Impressionist painting techniques and Japanese Edo period work for ideas on composition.
Ellen moved to Colorado in 2015 and currently keeps a studio in Boulder. Previously, she lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, St. Louis, Missouri and her home state, Oklahoma. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she studied Fine Art. Her work is available through Walker Fine Art in Denver, JRB Art in Oklahoma City and Visual Voice Fine Art in Nova Scotia.In addition to creating work for galleries, Ellen is a muralist and live music painter.
Glimmer of Hope (Criminal Justice Reform) by Michael Fischerkeller
Following a meditation-induced heart opening in the Summer of 2013, Michael Fischerkeller was inspired to elucidate through art the truths of disruptive social issues of our time. Having acquired a Ph.D. in political science in 1996, Michael leverages his academic background to offer concise, often poignant compositions and accompanying narratives to provide deep understanding and coherence of complex issues.
“Through a street art aesthetic I strive to capture a shared social conscience and offer truths of increasingly complex and significant political, economic and social issues of our time; where light shines, shadows fall, “Fischerkeller said in his artist statement. “Candor and social justice drive my creative process resulting in stark yet elegant artwork that encourages an audience to critically view their world, focus on what is habitually overlooked, face what may be uncomfortable truths, and act to improve their lives and those of others. My narratives are transcribed through acrylic spray paint – a street artist’s instrument – as the “street” is most often and most severely deprived of social justice.”
His starting point is always a black canvas, symbolic of the black light referenced in Sufi mystical prose from which the light of our universe emanates, light that seeks to overcome the darkness in our lives. Through on-going meditative practice Michael receives guidance on issues upon which he should focus and imagery to support their understanding. His artwork has been shown in dozens of juried exhibitions, nationally and internationally, with a particular emphasis on exhibitions focusing on art’s role in promoting social change. He strives to ensure that his art educates, inspires, and offers opportunities for personal healing. Michael lives and creates in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.