Ethereal Fauna: The Artist's Muse

Ethereal Fauna: The Artist's Muse

 Ethereal Fauna: The Artist's Muse is an investigation by Chicago area artists of the inner animal muse within each of us. Artists have created unique metaphorical portraits of his/her animal spirit, or that of another person, place, thing, or even society as a whole.

Our program attempts to reach beyond the traditional sphere of reality through imaginary forms. The exhibition tests perceived limitations of the self through fantastic images. Through this investigation, artists have expanded on the inner and outer boundaries of geography, ethnicity, tradition, media or other perceived limitations.

"Ethereal Fauna" contemplates each artist's interpretation of the inner animal as it reflects on our perceived reality and illuminates us by creating a dialogue between our consciousness and the animal nature of our inner world.

The exploratory use of recyclable, translucent, synthetic paper is the common physical forum that becomes a unique environmental habitat, akin to the pages from a fantastic zoological manuscript.

Participating Artists

Ruby Barnes • Sharon Bladholm • George C. Clark

Laura Coyle • Frank Crowley • Deirdre Fox

Anne Farley Gaines • Kathryn Gauthier • Ken Gold

Steve Grant • Susan Hall • Fletcher Hayes

Shawn Hazen • Jeanine Hill-Soldner

Tim Hurley • Virginia Hurley

Janet Jaffke • Eve Jensen • Robert Kameczura

Karena Karras • Donna Katz • Pauline Kochanski

John Kurtz • Carol Lader • Deborah Maris Lader

Kim Laurel • Richard Laurent • Beth Laurin

Diane Levesque • Greg Mejia • BettyAnn Mocek

Geoffrey Novelli • Christine O’Connor

Mary O’Shaughnessy • Tom Robinson • Steve Sherrell

Beth Shadur • Evan Silver • Ginny Sykes

Charlie B. Thorne • Saren Thorne-Hauser • Anatole Upart

Charlie Van Gilder • Kathy Weaver

Marzena Legawiec Ziejka • Jill Zylke

Curated by Fletcher Hayes & Kim Laurel
©2009 Fletcher Hayes & Kim Laurel Collaborations