The Legacy
January 11 – March 1, 2025
Reception on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. at the Firehouse Arts Center lobby
The Firehouse Arts Center is excited to present the solo exhibition of Fan Lee Warren, The Legacy. Coinciding with the celebration of Black History Month in February, this exhibition features 12 works from a series by the same name. Working in an array of mediums such as ink, watercolor, graphite, pastel, and even fire, each work carries the unique mannerisms of an aged document or relic of history. Exploring themes of past and present, the spiral-like patterns of life, community, and personal introspection, the ever-present motif of meandering children from her hometown of Chicago is depicted in each scene. In search of camaraderie, belonging, and safety, the artist’s question of migration and diaspora on an individual and cultural level is explored.
Fan Lee Warren
Fan Lee Warren, a contemporary African-American artist, draws profound inspiration from her upbringing and education. Her birth in Birmingham, Alabama, and upbringing in Chicago, two culturally rich cities, have deeply influenced her art. These cities, with their rich cultural heritage, have left an indelible mark on her artistic expression. Her creative boundaries expanded through her BFA from Illinois State University and an MFA from the School of Art Institute of Chicago, both of which have been instrumental in shaping her distinctive artistic voice. With a career of over thirty years, she has exhibited her sculptures, drawings, paintings, and installations nationally.
Her “Legacy / Migration” series, a significant collection of works on paper, vividly portrays the results of the great migration and provides a profound understanding of the African diaspora. The works delve into the historical and cultural narratives of various perceptions of African-American culture, its historical construct, and its effect on contemporary society. The depiction of children in these works represents the present, serving as a poignant reminder of the ongoing legacy of the past.
Warren’s art is a testament to her unique fusion of traditional and unconventional techniques. She stresses the paper’s surface using fire, earth, herbs, and fabric dyes, a process known as elemental stress. This technique serves as a metaphor for the passage of time and the inherent tension in societal issues. The images of children and historical symbols are then drawn, printed, and painted with various mediums, including acrylics, watercolor, ink, pastels, charcoal, and pigments, creating a truly distinctive artistic voice. The ancient universal spiral, a symbol of transformation, connects her current and past work with her ancestral memories. Each loop of the ring brings one back to the same place in timeless movement and flow.
Her artworks are in several public collections, including the prestigious Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase, New York, the New Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago, IL, the Alameda County Art Commission in Oakland, CA, and numerous private collections. Warren’s unique talent has also been recognized with numerous grants, awards, and art commissions. Notably, she was awarded a Western States Arts Federation/National Endowment for the Arts, a testament to her dedication and skill. Her art has been featured in various publications and catalogs, including American Vision, The New Art Examiner, and The International Review of African American Art, all of which have recognized her unique talent and contribution to the art world.
Artist Website
Instagram: FanLeeWarren
Harrington Gallery Hours Starting August 2024:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 10am-5pm
Saturdays: 10am-3pm
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