Elise Wagner – Celestial Currents Opening Reception

Elise Wagner, Peak, 2018, Encaustic and oil on panel, 32″ x 20″ x 2.25″

On view in the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center from June 2-July 31, 2025

Exhibition Reception

Please join us for the exhibition reception Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 2-4 pm with remarks by Elise Wagner and Sorcha Meek Paul, Curator of Education.

About the Exhibition

Celestial Currents presents a body of work that reflects Elise Wagner’s deep engagement with the unseen forces shaping both the cosmos and human experience. Drawing on her longstanding interest in the intersection of art, science, and the natural world, Wagner uses encaustic and mixed media to explore the invisible architectures of the universe—magnetic fields, atmospheric patterns, planetary motion, and quantum energy.

The title “Celestial Currents” speaks to the dynamic movement inherent in these systems. Wagner’s layered process—fusing wax, pigment, and drawing—mirrors the geological and cosmic phenomena she investigates. Her surfaces evoke star maps, shifting tectonics, and the elegant chaos of fluid dynamics, suggesting the deep interconnectivity between physical matter and the intangible forces that shape it.

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About Elise Wagner

Elise Wagner, courtesy of Rebekah Johnson

Elise Wagner, a painter, printmaker, educator, and innovator, currently resides on the North Coast of Oregon in Astoria, having originally hailed from Jersey City, New Jersey. Since 1986, she has called Oregon her home, where her creative journey has evolved into a distinctive fusion of artistic expression, spiritual exploration, and a profound interest in various scientific disciplines. Elise’s work seamlessly integrates her fascination with physics, astronomy, geology, cartography, and meteorology, exploring their connections to evolving technologies and the environment.