Creator Record

Metadata

Name

Shannon, Elizabeth (collaborator)

Notes

Elizabeth Shannon was born on the Atchafalaya River at the foot of the vast basin wetlands - a waterway teaming with the activity of seafood and oil related industries. "I have always been fascinated by this landscape and the co-dependent relationship," says the artist. "Each one is vital to the economy of the area. Each tied to its ecosystem. I am a Southern regional artist by nature."

Shannon's work reflects the visual culture of this place: the patina of wood wharves, pilings, thick sisal rope, rusted train bridges and river life. Using timeworn salvage materials as well as new materials, she explores the issues of the environment and humanity with installations, sculpture and photography.

Her work has been exhibited widely throughout the United States and in Cuba, and she is the recipient of many honors, awards and grants. Shannon's public artwork and commissions include the New Orleans Museum of Art, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Frederick R. Weisman Collection, Audubon Institute, Kemper Williams Park, Iberiabank in Lafayette, and other corporate and private collections.

Trained in art, photography, anthropology, and poetry, she studied at the University of the Americas in Mexico City; as well as a New Orleans based consortium program at St Mary's Dominican College, Loyola and Xavier Universities. Through the years she has served various community groups as a board member, organizer, consultant, fundraiser and neighborhood activist. Among these contributions, she was a founding committee and board member of the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans, and on the advisory board of New Orleans Airlift (The Music Box) in New Orleans.

Also engaged in curatorial work, multi-media productions and promotion of cultural tourism, Shannon has worked in the Louisiana film, video and print industry and acted as an advocate of art education.