Spring is near bloom, and what better way to welcome the springtime than to have Christine Knize’s exhibition “Orchidelirium” on display at the Western Illinois University Art Gallery, starting Tuesday, March 3 through Friday, April 10. An opening reception will be held March 3 from 4:30 to 6 p.m., featuring a talk by the artist regarding her prolific career.
Born in New York City, Knize is a generational artist, carrying the bloodline legacy of photography and painting inherited from previous generations of women artists in her family. After studying the Renaissance for three years in France and Italy, she moved to Miami in 1986. There, she launched a decorative painting company that attracted celebrity clientele and led to major restoration projects.
Knize left a lasting mark on Florida’s architectural history by restoring the hand-painted finishes in the Biltmore Hotel's lobby and ballrooms. She also played a significant role in the early renovations of Miami Beach’s Art Deco hotels, contributing to the preservation of several historical landmarks. Now based in Jacksonville, Knize has begun a new chapter of her career, focusing on large-scale canvases of orchids.
The University Art Gallery, located at 1 University Circle, is open free to the public from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
