Ode To Elaine Jacob

“Ode to Elaine Jacob” is a new exhibit at Gualala Arts, featuring the works of Siobhan Elder. The exhibit will include Elder’s art for the wall, and some works on silk for display or, perhaps, to wear. Cynthia Myer’s etched glass will also be on display. The exhibit opens at Gualala Arts on Friday, May 12 and continues through Sunday, June 4, 2023.

The name of the exhibit provides some insight into Elder’s own artistic vision. “Elaine Jacob’s exquisite eye is evidenced when stepping into the Elaine Jacob Foyer, including her vision of silk floating from the banners in the Foyer; and that challenged my brain. I began pondering a show of silk paintings intended to be displayed as art, in contrast to the past 40 years of my concentrating on the wearability of my designs. The Foyer spoke to me of coastal inspired designs with a decidedly female theme weaving its way thru the collection in Elaine’s honor.”

Color and texture will be obvious. “For this show I’ve embraced the thought of art for arts sake.  The process of painting 20+ foot tall redwoods on light, flowing silk with their bases intentionally puddling on the floor has been a challenge to my wearable brain, provoking visions of redwoods gracefully dancing around us while being grounded to the earth.” In addition to her work, Elder asked artist Cynthia Myers to show her magical etched glass, “creating a space of visual beauty honoring the coast and the women like Elaine who have enhanced our lives and made our community stronger with grace and elegance.”

Elder was influenced at an early age by the beauty around her. “Born the daughter of a professional photographer in the shadow of the Grand Tetons skewed my vision of the world from birth. Beauty combined with the practical sides of surviving in such a harsh climate made me tough. Meeting Elaine Jacob also changed the way I witnessed the world here in this exquisite yet harsh environment. Elaine Jacob’s lifelong relationship to design and deep love for this area bonded the two of us. My life was experiencing a plot twist, threatening the life I’d grown to love here on the coast. Elaine reminded me that no man was going to dictate where I lived, that I was talented and a survivor.”

“Elaine was a creator with a passion for beauty.  We spoke of the challenges of making a living as an artist, and I shared my ‘secret’ to success—relentless hard work and creating something beautifully utilitarian.  We shared an appreciation for design in the things we use in our daily lives, from containers to scarves.” Elder adds, “This body of work honors women in Elaine’s memory.”