Beatrice Fisher
Contact Information
Education
1962 B.A. in English and Theatre, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Biography
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BEATRICE FISHER
(1939-2009)
Born Beatrice Joseph in Detroit, MI, on March 9, 1939, Beatrice moved at an early age to Birmingham, AL, returning to Detroit in 1957 to attend Wayne State University. A brilliant and dedicated student, she graduated in 1964 with degrees in theater and English literature, and was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa. But it was after moving to Chicago, in 1963, with her husband and daughter, that she discovered and developed her unique artistic talent.
During almost five decades making art in Chicago, Beatrice enjoyed associations with and exhibited at a number of galleries and art centers both in Chicago and around the country, including the Hyde Park Art Center, Woman Made Gallery, the Phyllis Kind Gallery, Anderson Ranch, the Vermont Studio Center, the Evanston Arts Center, Ragdale, the Aron Packer Gallery, and the Judy Saslow Gallery. She was loosely affiliated with the Chicago Imagists, studying under Don Baum and Karl Wirsum, and developing relationships with Ed Paschke and Eleanor Spiess-Ferris, among others. She also won a top award at the Art Institute's Chicago & Vicinity Show in the early 1970s.
In the Artist's Statement she developed for her final show, she noted: "My work is influenced by the style and sensibilities of Chicago artists such as Don Baum and Karl Wirsum. The paintings are both whimsical and dark, with a penchant for ambiguity and the absurd. Using acrylics, I paint smooth, flat forms, often partial human figures, in a small format that encourages a sense of intimacy with the viewer."
Elsewhere, she wrote, "My work evolves from psychological states and experiences that become externalized through the use of visual elements I encounter or research. With a penchant for ambiguity and the absurd, I combine incongruous elements to suggest mysterious narratives and investigate themes of separation, love, and loss."
In addition to her lifelong devotion to producing art, Beatrice was a great lover of travel, literature, film, music, and dance, making frequent trips to New York and abroad with friends and family, and making art until just a few weeks before she died.
Selected Group Exhibitions
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2009
Beatrice Fisher Retrospective, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2007
10th International Open, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL - juried by Audrey Niffenegger, author and artist
2006
Rockford Midwestern, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL
63rd Annual Salon Show, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
Here Comes the Bride, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
2005
Birds and Bees, Gescheidle Gallery, Chicago, IL
8th International Open, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL - juried by Lynne Warren, Curator of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, IL
2004
Judith Racht Gallery - autumn and winter exhibition, Harbert, MI
Midwest Regional, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL - juried by Margaret Hawkins, critic Chicago Su-Times and Carrie Secrist of Secrist Gallery
7th International Open, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL - juried by Claudia DeMonte
A Spotlight on Living Artists, Third Annual Art Scene, Chicago - book - juried by Marianne Richter, John Brunetti and Dominic Molon
Baer Art Competition, Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL - juried by Gregory G. Knight, Chief Curator at the Chicago Cultural Center
2003
Her Mark 2004, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL - exhibition and calendar publication
Mysticism, Gillock Gallery, Evanston, IL
12x12, Suburban Fine Arts Center, Highland Parkl, IL
2002
Ecstasy, Orange County Center For Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA -juried by Meg Linton, Executive Director, Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum
WCA Midwest Regional, juried exhibition, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
Selected Works, Aron Packer Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001
Scene in Chicago, Judy Saslow Gallery, Chicago, IL
12x12, Suburban Fine Arts Center, Highland Park, IL - juried by Mary O'Shaunessy, Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
4th International Open, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL - juried by Janet Bloch, Gallery Director, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
The Look of Love, John Nicholas Gallery, Santa Paula, CA
1998
6th Biennial Regional Competition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL - juried by author Robert Sill
1997
3rd Annual National Exhibition, An Art Place, Chicago, IL - juried by artist Ray Yoshida
1996
Evanston and Vicinity 13th Biennial Exhibition, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL
1993
Multiperspectives, An Art Place, Chicago, IL - juried by art critic Dennis Adrian
Awards
2007
2 Month Painting Residency, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass, Colorado
2006
Juror's Award, Salon Show, South Shore Arts, Munster, IN - juried by Susan Gescheidle, owner, Gescheidle Gallery, Chicago
1998
Artist's Residency, Ragdale Foundation, Lake Forest, IL
1997
Juror's Award: Alice and Arthur Baer Art Competition, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL - juried by artist Don Baum
1993
Best of Show: Small Works, Suburban Fine Arts Center, Highland Park, IL - juried by Michael Wier, Lyons Wier Gallery, New York, NY
Juror's Award: The Art of Diversity, An Art Place, Chicago, IL - juried by Suzanna Coffey
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