1570 Gallery Presents “Home and Away”
An exhibition of monoprints celebrating the landscape near and far

Claudia Mejia-Willett – Artist Statement

I am a Hispanic woman, born in Colombia, South America and live in Rochester.  I attended Monroe Community College, SUNY Geneseo and Nazareth College earning a dual Master’s Degree in Special Education and Art.  I have been retired for more than six years, and continue to exhibit my work at various shows and galleries.

My printmaking journey has evolved in working solely with Monoprints.  I enjoy incorporating both Intaglio and Relief methods together.  Styroform, plastic and polystyrene are my preferred plates/matrixes.  There is a level of excitement, wanting to push the envelop when using unusual and unconventional materials for printmaking.  This path of exploration has led me to work with used and recycled items that have been discarded or overlooked.  I continue to experiment with a wide variety of different materials that have a unique textural quality to them which can generate new and exciting visual interest when used in printmaking.

My work in this show is a reflection of my last trip to Colombia, my homeland.  I found myself drawn to the beauty of the land overflowing with an abundance of tropical flowers, trees and lush vegetation.  These wonderful memories are reincarnated in my work today.

Elizabeth King Durand – Artist Statement

“Home is where we start from”. ~ T.S. Elliot

This collection of work represents an ongoing dialogue between home and away, the home place and travels beyond.  I am inspired by the landscape of the Finger Lakes, Upstate New York and the seascape of Nantucket Island.  The colors, textures and atmosphere of each location are an ongoing fascination.  Over time, my images have become more abstract, reflecting the true essence of what I see.

Elizabeth King Durand is a printmaker and teacher.  She is a lifelong resident of Rochester and spends summers on Nantucket.

For more information about this exhibit or to make a purchase, contact Diane Cotton, Gallery Coordinator, at (585) 546-8439 x3102 or cotton@EpiscopalSeniorLife.org