The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Presents 'Memories of Living in Italy'

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum invites you to experience "Memories of Living in Italy," an exhibition of non-digital photographic paintings by Loren Ellis. The show will open with a free wine & cheese reception on Saturday, February 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Feeling the need to see the art she was studying and the places it was created, as an art student in Florida, Ellis participated in a study program that allowed her to live in Florence, Italy for five months. She says, "Having been surrounded by the beauty of Italy has changed my life forever. I traveled throughout the country, including Sicily, drawing and photographing along the way. The country, to me, is a perfect art piece, truly inspiring me forever."

Each of Ellis' works is a combination of at least two images, with textures and color added. "When I create a ‘photographic painting' I start with a ‘straight' image, then I paint with light, bleach and dyes. Each one-of-a-kind image is printed on fiber paper-no computer is used. I call my works ‘visual symphonies' because each image is interesting in itself but the relationship of the images creates the real statement." This also allows her to revisit some of her "vintage" photos and create new works by creating different pairings of images.

Of her work, Ellis says, "The photographic image has always interested me in terms of how the perspectives of an image change by viewing the same object in different ways and through various lenses. The play of depth of field, relative degree of focus and other factors are challenging when making a successful composition. The use of perspective, line, light and shadow of an image or scene can be transformed into something ethereal, and spiritual. The juxtaposition of images and their varied perspectives often have a narrative element with a surreal energy. My goal is to create a tension and curiosity in the relationship of the images. This tension is meant to encourage one to evaluate one's point of view so one can grow."

The subject matter in Ellis' work usually deals with human physical and psychological growth and change, or ecological or social issues. Also a poet, she is sometimes inspired by her poems to create a visual work, and sometimes it happens the other way around. "The ultimate goal is an inspiring message of peace that exudes healing energy for the viewer as well as for myself."

With a Masters of Fine Art from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida Ellis has received many grants and awards. Her works are in many private and corporate collections including The Museum of Modern Art, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Kodak, The New York Public Library, the Florida State Capitol, The New York Historical Society, The Brooklyn Museum, Environmental Defense Fund, the Woodstock Center of Photography and the Museum of the History of Photography in Poland. She has done commissions for the New York Yankees and Johnson & Johnson, to name a few. She has published Photographs and Thoughts, a book of her photographs and poetry, has been interviewed on local and national television and has lectured about her work to many organizations. She also has created a 25-minute video documentary about a 100-year-old Hungarian photographer/artist entitled "A Tiny Voice."

Ellis is the director and founder of Art for Healing NYC (ArtforHealingNYC.org), a not-for-profit organization supporting the visual and performing arts and artists that was incorporated in May 2000.

After the opening on February 13, "Memories of Living in Italy" will run through Sunday, May 2, 2010, and can be viewed during regular museum hours (free for members or included in $5 museum admission fee for non-members). For more information about the show call 718-4422-1608, or visit www.LorenEllisArt.com for more information on the artist.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo. The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America.