FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2011
Columbus Arts Council presents exhibit opening of artist Elayne Goodman
COLUMBUS, Miss. – An exhibit featuring the work of Mississippi University for Women alumna Elayne Goodman '80 will run through the end of the month. The exhibit is being hosted by the Columbus Arts Council.
According to Goodman, the genesis of her art style comes from her childhood in rural Mississippi. In the depression era there were limited materials and limited time for creativity. She learned to waste neither. She has been creating her style of art since she was a teenager but not having ever seen her art replicated by any other artist she did not feel it was show worthy and as a result, never showed her art or sold it until 1990. She is a self-taught artist but in her forties she became a part-time student and graduated at age 49 from MUW with a BFA. The art faculty at MUW convinced her that her style had merit and encouraged her to show her work.
Goodman’s work is characterized by exceptionally high content and color and each piece is one-of a kind, although she does have a few recurring motifs such as Elvis, Bible stories and fish. She selects used materials and attempts to give them new life by forcing the viewer to see them in a new context. Other than paint, glue and screws, all materials are recycled. She regards everything as potential art material and is shameless in her search.
The starting point of a piece is usually an object or material that she finds intriguing. She then allows the material to suggest a theme and begins her work with no concrete plan for the final design. A work may take two days or two years to finish. She frequently allows an art piece to wait months before completion just so she has the right material to finish it. The most difficult part for her is finding a stopping place.
The Rosenzweig Arts Center is located at 501 Main Street in downtown Columbus. Please contact the Columbus Arts Council for more information by calling 328-ARTS (2787) or columbus.ms.arts@gmail.com.
