Elise Ferguson

b. Richmond, VA, 1964

Elise Ferguson is a painter who creates works based on mathematical puzzles and geometric variation. Her paintings of abstract and textured paths and passageways appear to vibrate and breathe. Ferguson’s process is defined by a singular formula—she begins by scraping up to a dozen layers of pigmented Venetian plaster onto panels, resulting in rough edges and a smooth fresco-like finish. She then draws repeating linear forms using graphite pencil, sometimes reinforcing these borders by silk screening plaster onto the surface. The play of positive and negative spaces resulting from the repetitive silk screening process creates the optical illusion of constant movement. The undulating patterns encourage states of meditation and hypnosis.