South Side Community Art Center Presents Transcending Time by Eldzier Cortor

CHICAGO - July 8, 2014 - PRLog -- CHICAGO (July 2014) – As the South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) approaches its 75th Anniversary in 2015, it will host an exhibit of the work of one of its founders, Master Artist/Printmaker Eldzier Cortor, beginning Sunday July 27.  A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, Cortor at 98, is still a practicing artist who weaves a social and political vision into his work. The opening reception for the exhibit will take place from 2 – 5 p.m. at the SSCAC located at 3831 South Michigan.

Cortor’s artistic style merges the influences of both traditional African art and European Surrealism, and he was among the first artist to prominently incorporate the African American female form into his work.  He is noted for using elongated nude figures of women in intimate settings to depict the Black race and the continuance of Black culture. Of painting African American women he has said,  “The Black woman represents the Black race. She is the Black Spirit; she conveys a feeling of eternity and a continuance of life.”

“Cortor’s work has always been deeply influenced by the social, political and economic challenges of the particular era in which he was creating,” said Sammie Dortch, SSCAC Board President. “The SSCAC is thrilled to display our founders’ work which comes from the artist himself.”  His pieces are available for purchase.

During the 1930s, Cortor found work with the Federal Art Project of the WPA, and in 1941, was one of the founding artists of the SSCAC. Cortor exhibited in the 1938 interracial show "An Exhibition in Defense of Peace and Democracy", which was sponsored by the Chicago Artists' Group. In 1940 he was one of the young artists exhibited at "The Exhibition of the Art of the American Negro" in Chicago.

Cortor credits the studying of African sculptures at the Field Museum for transforming his work. According to Cortor, “that was the most important influence in all my work, for to this day you will find in my handling of the human figure that cylindrical and lyrical quality I was taught to appreciate in African art.”

2015 will mark the 75th year of the SSCAC as a community-based art center.  For more information on upcoming shows and the 75 Anniversary, please visit www.sscartcenter.org . Follow the SSCAC on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/southsidecommunityartcenter) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sscartcenter).

About The South Side Art Center

The SSCAC preserves, conserves, and promotes the legacy and future of African American art and artists while educating the community on the value of art and culture.  SSCAC is the bridge that links the history and future of visual arts through creation, preservation, education, conservation and exhibition. Through its mission and rich history, SSCAC seeks to infuse history into the future of art.