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March Issue 2009
Plum Elements
in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Lisa M. Shimko
Plum Elements in Charleston, SC, will present the exhibit, Environment Variations: New works by Lisa M. Shimko, on view from Mar. 2 through Apr. 25, 2009.
Wherever one is in the Lowcountry, farm, beach or even downtown, awaking in the morning, or even if you sit still right now, you will soon hear the light and mixed chorus of bird songs. Hundreds of bird varieties reside here because of the abundant sea, stream and marsh. South Carolina's geographic positioning means hundreds more bird species migrate through the area. In this way too, birds are much like the many people, resident or visitor, long charmed by the Lowcountry.
This intersection, the delicate and now tenuous relationship of human and bird, focuses the eye of local artist Lisa Shimko for her new show Environment Variations at Plum Elements.
Those who know birds or study the environment will likely discern the telling pattern, as they identify the subjects of Shimko's colorful and gracious works - Wilson's Plover, Piping Plover, Painted Bunting, and American Oyster Catcher. These Lowcountry birds and many others are all listed as either threatened or endangered.
Shimko, with a lightness reminiscent of a bird alighting on a swaying branch, raises our awareness to the likelihood that we may soon hear no bird-songs, nor see any radiant plumage if we do not address our ways. The National Audobon Society's 2007 WatchList named 178 birds in need of top priority conservation attention. Nearly a third of those birds live here. Their disappearance or decline in numbers warns loudly about the state of the environment - just like a canary in a coal mine. It illustrates the interconnectedness. Our chosen methods to heat and light our homes and businesses, keep our lawns green, and grow our food - even simply walking our dogs on the beach - all these activities intersect and effect the lives of the birds and the environment.
If one was unaware of the practices and impacts of coal mining and power generation or of fertilizers on our waterways, the viewer, by glancing at Shimko's bright-eyed and lifelike representations, would likely not suspect the deftly coded underlying message in her paintings.
An avid researcher, Shimko thoroughly studies the subjects she paints. This intellectual intensity allows Shimko to help viewers comprehend the innate nature of an object - the weight of an apple or the workings of cross sectioned tomato - without loosing the simple goodness of the thing. This balance has contributed to her growing recognition including two consecutive selections as the subject art for the Charleston Farmer's Market as well as for this years Food and Wine Festival.
While her work stands on it's own content - her accompanying research notes provide a backstory that expand the experience of her art. The viewer not only feels, but in fact learns additional information, leading perhaps to a few more questions. "More questions are good," said Shimko. "Mainly, I just want people to think about what's going on; to examine what we're doing. Perhaps that will lead to some different choices - choices about the fuel we use, how we grow and build. It's not just about the immediate costs, but we have to start factoring in the long term costs."
Shimko and Plum Elements
gallery owner Andrea Schenck are making some of those choices.
The invitations for the opening will be printed with soy-based
ink, on post consumer recycled stock. Cups at the reception will
be made from corn and fully-biodegradable. And with an eye to
raising even more awareness, 10 percent from the sales of Shimko's
work will be donated to the Sustainability Institute and on Apr.
21, 2009, Plum Elements will host an Artist Talk from 5:30-7pm,
where Shimko will discuss her work and thoughts on birds, humans
and their intersection in this environment.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings,
call the gallery at 843/727-3747 or e-mail to (info@plumelements.com).
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