Shakespeare as Muse

Exhibition Statement

Shakespeare as Muse opened July 2, 2004 at the Schneider Museum of Art, at Southern Oregon University. More than 50 artists were invited to do a work each in response to a favorite paragraph, idea interaction, or character of their choice from any one of Shakespeare’s plays or sonnets. The artists whose works were shown in the exhibition were asked for personal responses rather than images or illustrations of given situations, activities or characters described by Shakespeare.

The extraordinary breadth of vision and mastery of the writer’s subjects and ideas as well as his thorough understanding of motivations underlying the actions of his protagonists offered limitless choices.

Fifteen portraits of great contemporary Shakespearean actors by Los Angeles painter Don Bachardy, greeted visitors in the museum entry gallery, before they proceeded on to the group exhibition showcased in the other three galleries.

Guest curator Josine Ianco Starrels invited artists from Ashland, Los Angeles, Northern California, the Pacific Northwest and New York.

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