Sharon Gilmore
Sharon Gilmore
Evanston, Illinois, United States
Sculpture
Explore the artistic vision and craftsmanship of Sharon Gilmore
The Host
Salvaged materials from nature and industy. In his mouth is an oyster shell, as if receiving the host.
17 × 57 × 17 Inches
USD 1,750
GhostwoodSpirit
spiritual based sculpture with animal like image. See artist statement
24 × 68 × 29 Inches
USD 3,250
The Offering
spiritual based. Around perimeter of bowel are a series of numbers in metal\r\n (from a dart board). Leather strap is from Peru.
20 × 53 × 16 Inches
USD 1,200
With Hope
Wall sculpture made of earth-mud that is polished and stained. Protrudes from basket.
14 × 14 × 8 Inches
USD 1,150
About the Artist
EDUCATION
MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1983-85
BFA, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, 1976-79
RN, Montreal General Hospital School of Nursing, Canada, 1966-69
EXHIBITIONS
2014 WATER: A UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHT, Chicago Women's Caucus for
Art, Robert Morris State Street Gallery, Chicago
2013 CHICAGO SCULPTURE INTERNATIONAL, Bridgeport Art Center.
Chicago
OUTSIDER OUTSIDE ART FAIR, Harvey Pranian Art and Antiques
Harbert, Michigan
COPY.RIGHT? Art of Appropriation, 33Contemporary Gallery, Chicago
SPIRITUS, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago
BODY and BRAIN, WomanMade Gallery, Chicago
2012 CHICAGO'S TWELVE, Zhou B Art Center, Chicago
CHICAGO'S TWELVE, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
EXPLORATIONS, Highland Park Art Center, IL
4th ANNUAL GREEN ARTS SHOW, Noyes Art Center, Evanston
3rd PLACE JUROR'S AWARD
6 TO THE THIRD, CSI, Art Chicago 2012, Navy Pier, Chicago
SOFA, Harvey Pranian Arts and Antiques, Navy Pier, Chicago
ANXIOUS OBJECT: Masterpiece or Junk?, Bridgeport Art Center,
Chicago
2011 6/3, Chicago Sculpture International, ART CHICAGO, Merchandise Mart,
6/3, Framing Mode Gallery, Chicago, IL
NAKED JULY: Art Stripped Down, National Pastime Theatre, Chicago
EVANSTON GREEN SHOWCASE, Noyes Art Center, Evanston, IL
2010 MIGRATION, Douglas Park Cultural Center, Chicago
FORM and FLORA, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
SONG, Envision Gallery, Chicago
SHARON GILMORE and DONNA HAPAC, Lubeznik Center for the Arts,
Michigan City, In
AVIARY SHOW, Brushwood Gallery, Friends of Ryerson Woods, Deerfield,
CAC Chicago Art Open, River East Art Center, Chicago
2009 LOST and FOUND, Springfield Art Association, Springfield, IL
CHECKLIST for an EXODUS, solo exhibit, ARC Gallery, Chicago CROSSED BORDERS/CROSSED CULTURES, Veeck Gallery,
Chicago
SHARON GILMORE ( page 2)
Artist Statement
My sculptures are expressions of spirit/souls residing within the containers I build for them.
The containers reference human and animal forms or objects used in ceremonial practices. I build them with materials salvaged from nature and industry, encasing them in soil hardened with glue. I always embellish the surfaces of the sculptures: sanding, oiling, painting, marking. I want them to appear not as assemblages of individual parts, but as unified bodies in time and place.
Sometimes I plan the shape of the sculpture in advance, but I also work intuitively. I constantly pay attention to the spirit/soul that enters the piece as it is being built and make constructive changes to enhance that presence. Throughout the process, I refer to books on mythologies, symbols and rituals, learning how such an object was used in the past.
My experiences working as a nurse have had a profound influence of my art. In the early 1970's I volunteered as a public health nurse in the altiplano of Peru. During those two years I witnessed many sacred ceremonies, as well as learned about the symbols incorporated into weavings and pottery. It was there I started making art.
During the following forty years, I took care of newborns and their mothers, helped in the rehabilitation of patients suffering spinal cord and head injuries, and cared for the dying in hospice. Repeatedly I saw the spirit/soul revealed, flicker, glow and then depart. I no longer practice nursing but these memories permeate my being and my art.
Sharon Gilmore
2014