In the exhibition Paper Works artist Elisabeth Jacobsen presents recent sculptures inspired by the ever-evolving landscape of New York City, more specifically her Chelsea neighborhood. Jacobsen elaborates, “Undeniably we live in a metropolis that is forever building an innovative city with the delineations of forms that provide wonder and stimulate imagination. Their reflective surfaces play off the geometry of the surrounding structures and influence the environment's mood and tone.” Utilizing cardboard to explore the emergence of the ongoing constructions, Jacobsen’s use of this rudimentary material juxtaposes the complexity of the structures.

Elisabeth Jacobsen, b. 1949, received her BFA from Purchase College, SUNY and her MFA from University at Albany, SUNY. She has also studied abroad in Italy and Mexico. Elisabeth taught internationally, and at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York for over 30 years. She has worked extensively as a freelance designer and illustrator, both nationally and internationally. Jacobsen’s work has been shown throughout the US and is in several private collections. She has had solo shows at galleries and museums in New York City; Albany, NY; New Hampton, NJ; and Brentwood, MD.

Susan Skoorka presents dynamic collages in the exhibition Paper Works. After designing for years on a computer, Skoorka felt the undeniable pull of creating with her hands. These works are created with beautifully textured cut colored paper that are impeccably layered to create energetic and graphic compositions. Skoorka states, “I love working with color, textures, paper and scissors, creating shapes, shifting them around and arranging them in exciting ways. My cut paper inspiration comes from Henri Matisse, Joseph Albers, Kurt Schwitters and Ivan Chermayeff.” A selection of her Paper Works designs will be translated into hand knotted wool rugs.

Susan Skoorka is a native New Yorker, attending Pratt Institute and graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Before launching her design business, Skoorka Design, she was an art director at Time magazine. Skoorka has won national and international recognition for her innovative design work from the Art Director’s Club of New York, the Type Director’s Club of New York, Graphis International, Print and CA magazines. She has exhibited her illustrations at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, New York City; The Gallery, Washington, Connecticut; Guild Hall, East Hampton, N.Y. and the Carter Burden Gallery, New York City. Her paper work has been exhibited at The Gail Willson Gallery, Southampton, N.Y.; Guild Hall, East Hampton, N.Y. and the Carter Burden Gallery, New York City. Skoorka’s work can be found in private collections.