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THE EXAMINER  
ART AND CULTURE  | DECEMBER 4, 2012  |  BY: MARY A. OSBORNE 

River North galleries explore the ancient mystery of body and soul

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Arica Hilton "One Day Like Rain"
Throughout the history of Western thought, philosophers, perhaps beginning with Plato, have sought to define the human soul. Following the ancient tradition, artist Arica Hilton aspires to express this ineffable essence of life. In a collaborative show entitled “Body and Soul,” Hilton’s paintings, along with stunning works by other fine artists, will explore the oft-pondered relationship between the visible and invisible worlds. While Hilton | Asmus Contemporarypresents “The Soul,” just down the street Jennifer Norback Fine Art presents “The Body.” The joint exhibition runs from Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. through Thursday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m.

Hilton's paintings ponder life’s great mysteries. Her interpretations of the soul as well as her earlier series entitled “Where Stars are Born,” reflect upon the connections between the physical and the spiritual, between human forms and stardust. “There is a link,” Hilton says, “between the elements that comprise a nebula, those clouds of dust and gases in galaxies far, far away from our Earth, and the human soul.” We know that without the basic elements made from the creation and destruction of stars, life would not exist. The question remains: what, exactly, is a soul made of?

View slideshow: Paintings by Arica Hilton
To look at one of Hilton’s paintings is to contemplate an answer. Sensuous swirls of layered color and free organic forms celebrating the startling beauty of the cosmos invite the viewer into the realm of the mystical. Her images depict a spiritual dimension permeated by the elements that comprise the universe. Hidden somewhere amid shadow and light is the human soul, the part of us that never dies.

Colpan Hatun Arica Hilton was born on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Having studied architecture and design, Hilton has worked as an art dealer, interior designer, poet, and artist. Formerly, she was president of the Poetry Center of Chicago. Her work has appeared in Fine Art Magazine, Michigan Avenue Magazine, and Astronomy Magazine among others. Her first book of poetry, “The Seven Faces of Love,” is slated for release in the fall of 2013.

In addition to works by Hilton, “The Soul” exhibition will feature sculptures by Belgin Yücelen and Çetin Ateş and jewelry by Tammy Kohl. There will be an opening reception at Hilton | Asmus Contemporaryon Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 5-9 p.m. The gallery is located at 716 N. Wells Street in Chicago’s River North Gallery District at the corner of Wells and Superior. Jennifer Norback Fine Art, presenting “The Body,” will feature works by Patti Bartelstein, Cindy Bernhard, Michael Goro, Rene Romero Schuler, and William Utermohlen. JNFA is located at 217 W. Huron Avenue. Addington Gallery adds to this fascinating conversation with its exhibition entitled, "Where the Two Meet." Addington Gallery is located at 704. N. Wells Street. Visit all three galleries, delight your body and soul.

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