CHICAGO, IL.- The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art presents a new exhibition titled Symbiotic Struggles: Lichen and Coral, which brings together the distinctive visions of Sandra Wilcoxon and Margot McMahon. Their work explores the parallels between two of nature's most remarkable symbiotic organisms. The exhibition examines the complex relationships within lichen and coral communities—organisms that survive through cooperation yet face increasing threats in our changing environment.

Through their paintings, both artists capture the intricate textures and delicate structures that define these often-overlooked life forms. Wilcoxon's detailed watercolors reveal the subtle color variations and complex patterns found in lichen formations, while McMahon's expressive works interpret coral ecosystems with bold strokes and dynamic compositions. The exhibition invites viewers to contemplate the beauty of these natural partnerships alongside their vulnerability in the face of environmental change. Together, these paintings offer a visual meditation on interconnectedness and the fragile balance that sustains our natural world.

Sandra Wilcoxon's work focuses on nature and the natural world through the expression of watercolor and botanical art. Similarly, Margot McMahon is a lifelong environmentalist and views the human form as one with nature and creates symbols of this concept. Together, their artistic dialogue creates a powerful testament to the beauty and vulnerability of nature.

Overall, Synbiotic Struggles offers a timely meditation on symbiosis, resilience, and the fragility of ecological balance in our world today. The exhibition will remain on view through June 29, 2025.

Sandra Wilcoxon has made art throughout her life. Even as a child, she was sketching and drawing in the margins of her notebooks. Later, studies at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, in printmaking and sculpture helped hone skills and form impressions and opintions about the creative process. She has explored a variety of media and styles over the years including wearable art, jewelry and beaded bone sculptures. Her art is inspired by nature and natural materials. In the past few years, she has focused on watercolor and botanical art embracing the challenge of learning a new medium and honing her drawing skills. The subjects and possibilities are endless! She lives with her husband and pets in the Chicago area, and loves to travel.

The figure and organic form interpreted in geometric rhythms are what Margot McMahon models in clay and casts in metal and concrete, welds in steel or carves in stone. Her work is a rhythm of lights and shadows playing over textured surfaces of forms which refer to the every person as the hero. She has been called the Studs Terkel of the sculpting world for her humanistic interpretations. Captured in seated poses or walking stances, her forms speak to us of both the endurance and the fragile nature of the human spirit. A lifelong environmentalist, McMahon views the human form as one with nature and creates symbols of this concept. Public sculpture commissions and museum and gallery exhibitions have been the core of Margot's work as an artist. She has exhibited her drawings and sculptures in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Sante Fe, Cincinnati and Connecticut. The Smithsonian, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Chicago Historical Society, the Chicago Horticultural Society and Botanic Gardens, and Yale University have her sculptures in their collections. Besides Chicago area collections her sculptures and drawings are included in private collections in New York, Florida, London, Paris, New York and Tokyo. When working on a public commission, Margot enjoys the process of 1) responding to a community; 2) researching the concepts of the sculpture; 3) intuitively interpreting the site; and 4) creating an informed and intuitive humanistic and expressive interpretation of the concept. Margot McMahon has taught sculpting and drawing at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, DePaul University, Yale University's Norfolk Summer School and assistant taught at Yale University while earning her MFA. She has been a board member of the Oak Park Area Arts Council and a founding commissioner on the Village of Oak Park Public Art Advisory Commission and contributes on a committee of the Ragdale Foundation.