Chicago artist, teacher and disability activist Riva Lehrer debuted new show, "Mirror Shards" debuted Dec. 2 at Printworks Gallery. The show, which encompassed three years of Lehrer's work, included her mixed-media drawings and paintings as well as portraits of lesbian artist/cartoonist Alison Bechdel and Liz Carr, a lesbian stand-up/sit-down comedian and host of a BBC podcast called "Ouch!"
About 200 people attended the exhibit's opening, which will continue through Feb. 4, 2012. The exhibit included portraits of friends in animal guises that reflect their personalities as well as a number of standalone portraits of Bechdel, Carr and others.
Lesbian filmmaker Charissa King-O'Brien was on hand to film her still-evolving documentary of Lehrer and her work called The Paper Mirror. King-O'Brien captured attendees as they meandered from one portrait to another and engaged in conversation with Lehrer about her work and the exhibit itself.
Carr was in attendance to view her portrait for the first time in person. Upon viewing the portrait, Carr said, "It's brilliant and the detail is almost too good. I've spent thousands of pounds to remove my body hair and Riva has captured every fine hair on my face and hands. The Christmas tree lights and barbed-wire part of the portrait is what I really like and I love the way she has captured me inside and out."
The portrait of Bechdel has already been sold to an independent buyer, according to Printworks Gallery co-owner Bob Hiebert. Of Lehrer's work and the opening Hiebert said, "I've been aware of Riva as an artist for many, many years and its only in the last five or six years we've had the opportunity to show her work here. She was with another gallery and when they went out of business we jumped at the chance to show her work. I've known her personally and we've always gravitated towards good drawing, which is what we're about and what Riva is about. In this particular show Riva has taken drawings and added to them ... how that animal personifies the person she drew. ... There is a lot of symbolism in her work. ... I am hoping that people will visit the show and really look at each piece individually."
"There was so much happiness afoot this weekend. Liz was just a treat. It was terrific to see a mixed audience totally get her humor and originality. Charissa's film couldn't have had a better reception," said Lehrer, adding, "Just having art people, queers and crips all together having a wonderful time was worth every bit of effort. I don't think I've ever felt luckier in my friends and in my communities."
To find out more about the exhibit visit www.printworkschicago.com . The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and by appointment. For more information about Lehrer and her work, visit www.rivalehrer.com .