Folktales 53

Ezra Siegel

Ezra Siegel has spent over thirty years exploring forms, shapes and paint surfaces to create something that is both simple and complex. His paintings are both empty and full, ordered yet improvised. With multiple layers of washes and thin paint, Siegel's work is full of nuanced color and tone. His work suggests a minimalist approach but exhibits a human touch in the hope that the viewer can experience beauty through imperfection and subtlety. 

Chicago-born artist, Siegel comes from an artistic family.  His father, Arthur Siegel, a world-renowned photographer and his mother, Irene Siegel, is a multi-media artist.  At an early age, Ezra took an interest in architecture. He attended Francis Parker High School in Chicago, and graduated from Vassar College, majoring in Art History and Architecture. To copy the great master drawings in the Uffizi, he moved to Italy.  He then lived in Portugal and Canada before returning to the Chicago area.  As a self-trained artist, Ezra has spent many hours visiting museums and perusing art books. These various influences have informed Ezra's art.

 He has shown in New York, in solo and in group exhibitions.  He has also shown Internationally, both in group shows, such as Mae D'Agua, and in gallery representation.  Ezra has won Best of show:  Bayou City Art Festival Downtown 2016, Art and Big Fork 2014, Lubeznik 2013/2019, Northbrook 2013, and  has received recognition from numerous juries such as Illinois Arts Council and Art Loop Open. He had a solo show at the Lubeznik Center of the Arts, Michigan City, in 2016.  He showed in SOFA Chicago 2019 . He is notably  in the collection of Roger and Pam Weston, Rod Lubeznik, and J. Scarpa, among others. 

ARTIST STATEMENT:

“Insider, outsider - this best describes me. I'm self taught in the making of art yet well-versed in its history and contemporary movements. At 22, I decided to pursue art and moved to Italy after college to study and replicate Italian realism. My work has evolved from precise renditions, to expressive, intentional pieces. I strive for a painting style that blends simplicity and relaxation with playful details and pattern variations, reflecting both the childlike and mature aspects within us all.”