May 2011

SCOOP Studios in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Lisa Shimko

SCOOP Studios Contemporary Art Gallery in Charleston, SC, will present the exhibit, Stop Making Fence, featuring works by local artist Lisa Shimko, on view from May 6 - 27, 2011. An opening reception will be held on May 6, from 5-8pm and a closing reception will be held on May 27, from 5-8pm.

The exhibit is a collection of self-described absurdity and unedited imagery guided by the irrational nature of daydreaming. Shimko, a local favorite, says, “This series is a commencement of embracing the fact that a lot of life doesn’t make sense and art can be a place to celebrate it instead of constricting it.”

Shimko’s art featured in Stop Making Fence is seen as a departure from her previous collection, and exhibits the new direction she has taken in the last year. The artist explores the metaphorical connotations associated with fences, and attempts to break down and move past their barriers while acknowledging them at the same time. Shimko’s ever evolving perspective asks the viewers to repel the norm, and to approach the unfiltered work. A clever word savvy friend of the artist said upon seeing the pieces that, “absurdity shocks you into freedom,” which has become the mantra of Shimko.

Shimko enjoyed her childhood in York County, PA, where she spent most of her time collecting rocks and exploring the terrain of forests and farms. Forms, colors, and textures of nature supplied hours of entertainment and therefore was a foundation of her artistic aesthetic. A simple graphic nature and bold colors found in her paintings harken back to the Pennsylvania German folk art found in Shimko’s everyday life as a child.

Shimko received a BFA in Painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia where she began showing her artwork on a regular basis. She has called Charleston home for the past five years. The southern coastal culture and terrain blends with her past to assemble her ever evolving perspective. Shimko has been the featured artist for the Charleston Farmers Market and has shown her work in numerous group shows while her altruistic nature often aids local non-profits such as the Jazz Artists of Charleston, The Sofia Institute, The South Carolina Aquarium and Planned Parenthood.

For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/577-3292 or visit (www.scoopcontemporary.com).

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