Vicki Chelf
Vicki Chelf was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. In her 20’s she moved to the Laurentian Mountains to a small town of artisans and hippies in the Provence of Quebec, where she lived for thirteen years. There, she wrote what she believes is the first vegetarian cookbook published in French. This provided her the means to attend the Ringling School of Art and Design, where she graduated with a degree in Fine Art. Proceeding cookbooks allowed her to pursue fine art painting. Vicki also studied classical drawing with Charlie Miano at the Southern Atelier.
She has had one person shows in Sarasota, Florida, Fairfield, Iowa, Paris, France and Val-David, Quebec. Her work has been shown in the Galerie Martine Moisine in Paris, Meridian Gallery in London, Swanson Contemporary in Louisville. She worked for The Ringling Bros. Circus as a foam carver and scenic painter, and was the assistant to bronze master Jeff Marks, who cast the work of super realist Duane Hanson.
For the past four years, Vicki Chelf did still lives of antique toys, selected and arranged to tell a story. Toys reflect the love and aspirations adults bestow on their children in the form of objects that are meant to entertain and amuse. As time passes, what once was cute becomes a bit creepy in a way that is easy to see but hard to explain.
Collecting, selecting and placing the toys in the still life arrangement is as important to the artwork as the execution of the painting which is done in a style of painterly realism. When the still life is complete, the background is sometimes spontaneously decorated to set the stage for the viewer. Like one-frame plays, these paintings evoke issues Vicki feel strongly about, such as animal rights, the environment or sexual politics. This is accentuated by titles, such as “Moma, Where does Bacon Come From,” “What is a Bee,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.”
Women of Resistance project
In a recent visit to France, Vicki Chelf discovered a trove of beautifully illustrated vintage newspapers published by the Catholic Church dating from 1912 to 1959. To Vicki, it was like discovering a creative goldmine. Inspired by the haunting images, she wanted to use them in her art. After visiting a Resistance Museum, Vicki knew she wanted to pay homage to the women who so bravely worked to fight the evil of Hitler’s regime. The Resistance Museum was founded and run by a local woman whose mother had been a resistance fighter. This series will continue with portraits of strong and rebellious women from the era’s represented by these newspapers. There are enough papers for several years of paintings. Contemporary women heroes are to follow.
Art to Heart to Action
Inspired by art, Vicki Chelf and her team are creating a stage performance that will inspire and empower others through telling the incredible stories of the women who were the heroes of WWII through visual art, music, narration and dance.
CELEBRATE
Come celebrate the extraordinary women who became heroes in WWII at a live performance! Watch their stories come to life through dance and music. The performance will be presented for two nights only:
Friday, Oct 20 and Saturday, Oct 21, 2023, at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $27
First Presbyterian Church
2050 Oak St. downtown Sarasota
The Celebration Continues at Art Avenue Gallery, Sunday, Oct 22 at 6 pm
Witness the unveiling of two new paintings by Vicki Chelf of the “Bond Bombshell” Dorothy Lamour that feature original memorabilia from Dorothy Lamour’s estate.
Sure to be an unforgettable event, it’s a dance party and art auction with live music by renowned musician Warren Slim Williams. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served, all to benefit WOR2WOW and its mission to inspire and empower women. Free for ticket holders. Art Avenue is in the Siesta Key Mall, 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Art Avenue
Westfield Southgate Shopping Center
Art Avenue
3501 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34239
e-mail: Vrchelf@hotmail.com
Websites:
Women of Resistance Project:
Women of Resistance Facebook Page
The latest book:
Instagram: