Jeffery Manor Branch hosts an Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month art exhibit during May 2018 featuring artist Lisa Macri.
From the artist:
I find inspiration to paint from my own cultural heritage as a Japanese American. I was born and raised on the north side of Chicago in the resettlement neighborhoods of Lakeview/Lincoln Park. I attended Japanese school at the Midwest Buddhist Temple for Japanese cultural language classes as well as all the Ginza Holidays and Bon Odori festivals since I was born. While I did not continue my Japanese language classes past 10 years old, I still hold on to Japan in my heart. My grandmother was my sensei for my artistic upbringing and my Japanese cultural knowledge including craft (knitting, sewing, crochet), origami and even Japanese cooking. Over the years as my painting developed, I turned to traditional Japanese wood prints and the influence of nature found in those prints. I found that the elements and colors from nature in my own environment have been abstracted into my own paintings today.
