FEBRUARY 15 THROUGH MARCH 15, 2008
Opening Reception: Friday, February 15th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
"Talkabout" Gallery Discussion: Saturday, March 1st, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial presents the final exhibition in the thirtieth season of the four-part Wind Challenge Exhibitions at Fleisher — the Delaware Valley’s premier juried artist exhibition program. This season’s twelve Challenge artists were selected from a field of nearly 300 applicants to exhibit in one of four three-person exhibitions. The fourth of this year’s Challenge Exhibitions features the work of artists Judy Gelles, Erica Zoë Loustau, and Shelley Spector.

The exhibition begins on Friday, February 15th, with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and continues through March 15th, 2008.

Both the exhibition and the opening reception are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with additional hours of 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday.

Judy Gelles uses photography to examine the Philadelphia population through the lens of ten couples who reflect the diversity and complex nature of the city. Each couple was asked to describe his or her partner, talk about dreams, wishes, concerns, worries, disappointments, and what they like to do together. In this collaborative series, her intent is to focus on what is behind the typical smiling portrait, the backstage rather than the footlights. The images are blurred while the text is in focus. The blurred portrait draws the viewer in and the text brings them into focus. At that point, one discovers the subjects' uniqueness and universality.

Ms. Gelles received her M.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Image: Judy Gelles, Them, 2006, Duraclear print mounted on Plexiglas

Erica Zoë Loustau's Rapunzel's Longing is a mixed media sculptural installation depicting a dramatic moment in a revised version of the well known fairy tale. In this version, Rapunzel unfurls her hair and takes drastic action in response to her captivity. The installation of suspended mixed media elements is designed to wrap the viewer into the same space as the work. The flock of foreboding birds appears to float in a swirling volume through the gallery. The metaphorical work explores the ambiguity of our own psychological landscape where sometimes the line between longing and reality blur.

Ms. Loustau received her B.A. from Hampshire College and her M.F.A. from The University of Pennsylvania.

Image: Erica Zoë Loustau, detail: Flock, 2007, paper and monofilament

Shelley Spector's sculpture pieces are playful in spirit and filled with political satire. Spector works in wood along with other materials, mostly found or reclaimed, then incorporates motors and music into the pieces. She states, “With my newest work I continue to work in this vein while I explore themes of popular culture, interpersonal relationships and contemporary ideals.”

Ms. Spector studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and received her B.F.A. at the University of the Arts.

Image: Shelley Spector, Help You Inc, 2007, oil on wood with motor

On Saturday, March 1st, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., artist/teacher Mary Murphy will lead the Challenge "TalkAbout" gallery discussion. Join us to discuss the work on exhibition. Admission is free.

Concurrent with Challenge 4, Nancy M. Sophy will present recent works in the Faculty Gallery, while Frances Schatz displays recent works in the Student Gallery.

Fleisher's exhibition programs are supported in part by Dina and Jerry Wind, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Independence Foundation, the Philadelphia Cultural Leadership Program of The Pew Charitable Trusts, and donations from more than 2,000 student members and friends.

Refreshments for Fleisher exhibition openings and special events generously provided by Infusion Coffee & Tea.