ARTIST STATEMENT
An onslaught tires us to the bone. Its prolonged attack of chores, tasks, betrayals, brutalities, lies, expectations, make us weary and force us to question our resolve and resiliency. An onslaught always wears us down.
The work in the exhibit "Onslaught" was made during the last two years of the Bush administration, and dealt with the weariness and inertia that set in when a person faces a barrage of endless attacks from forces too large to subdue. These attacks can be political and economic, or in my case, domestic. The housework needs to get done, the cell phone recharged, lunches made, the newspaper read, deceptions absorbed, the gas tank filled, and decisions made continually about how to live and what to believe. The recycling bin fills while stories about greed and the betrayal of public trust bombard me. White House duplicity leaks out; warfare goes on.
So I search for a weapon or armor, like a shield, something to defend myself from these forces, something to acknowledge the forces within me. Sometimes I don't know which one. Am I trying to keep fatigue at bay, or am I already fatigued and merely looking for protection and someplace to hide? Do I make work for myself in order to find a reason to keep going? Am I trying to protect myself from the exhaustion, or has it already won?
When I shaped my shields, I used ratty worn-out rags, washcloths, towels and cloth diapers, and gave them a rigid skin of plaster of paris. Though barriers of a kind, they are vulnerable, already torn. And the repeated motions used to create the stitches, loops, interlacings and knots of this fiber work is related to the too-often overlooked, dismissed and undervalued domestic kingdom.
The performance piece "HouseWork" is about the work done by those who maintain our environments, including but not limited to the domestic one. This work is also often invisible, monotonous, underpaid or unpaid, repetitive, often never-ending, and necessary. "HouseWork" was composed as a sequence of episodes, each one loosely based on some physical aspect of housekeeping: folding laundry, washing dishes, sorting and picking up household detritus, cooking, vacuuming, unpacking and putting away groceries, etc. As the performance progress, the work was undone faster than it was accomplished. I'm interested in the political aspects of this work, and I want to explore the kinds of rhythms that drive this kind of activity.
- 1990-1992 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Master of Fine Arts in Fiber - emphasis in installation and conceptual work.
- 1980-1985 University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude
Interdisciplinary Degree in Comparative Arts: Music, Visual Arts & Poetry
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2009 HouseWork, performance at MTS Gallery, Anchorage, AK
- 2007 Onslaught, Kimura Gallery, University of Alaska Anchorage, AK
- 2003 Virum, Carr Gottstein Gallery, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
- 2002 New Mixed Media, Well Street Art Company, Fairbanks, AK
- 1999 Big Horn, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
- 1998 Recent Work, Site 250 Fine Art, Fairbanks, AK
- 1997 No Man’s Land, Alaskaland Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK
- 1996 Recent Work, Site 250 Fine Art, Fairbanks, AK
- 1992 Couples, Contemporary Art Workshop, Chicago, IL
- 1991 Vocabulary Fetishes, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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CURATED and JURIED EXHIBITS
- 2009
Earth, Fire & Fibre XXVII, Alaska Statewide Biennial Juried Craft Exhibition,
juried by Patricia Watkinson, independent curator.
Artists at Play, curated by Julie Decker, in conjunction with Science in Toyland exhibit, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Anchorage, AK
- 2008
Word and Pictures, curated by Bruce Farnsworth and Hal Gage, MTS Gallery, Anchorage, AK
Attachments, Invitational partnership between ICGA and Alaska Design Forum, Anchorage, AK
Art/Science, curated by Annie Duffy, Well Street Art Company, Fairbanks, AK
- 2007
Earth, Fire & Fibre XXVI, Alaska Statewide Biennial Juried Craft Exhibition,
juried by Michael Monroe, Executive Director and Chief Curator, Bellevue Art Museum
Out of the (Jewelry) Box, MTS Gallery, Anchorage, AK, curated by jeweler Rika Mouw, Homer, AK
- 2006
All-Alaska Juried Art Exhibition, Anchorage Museum of History and Art
POLARities: Aesthetics/Experiments/Observations, juried by Annie Duffy, UA Museum of the North, Fairbanks
- 2005
A New Sense of Wonder, University of Alaska Museum of the North, Fairbanks, AK, curated by Kesler Woodward, artist/professor emeritus, UA-Fairbanks AK
- 2004
Fiber to Me, Fiber to You?, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
- 2003
XX, SoNot, Fairbanks Arts Association Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK
curated by Sandy Gillespie, artist, Fairbanks AK
- 2001-02
Letters Home, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
and Fairbanks Arts Association Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK
- 1996
Artifacts, Relics and Mysteries, Fairbanks Arts Association Bear Gallery,
Fairbanks, AK and the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Anchorage, AK, curated by Todd Sherman, Professor of Art, UAF
- 1995
64th Parallel, Fairbanks Arts Association Bear Gallery, Fairbanks, AK
A Sense of Wonder, statewide exhibition of contemporary art, curated by Kesler Woodward, University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, AK
- 1993
Talking Stick, Crux Gallery, Chicago, IL
- 1992
A Matter of Delicacy, Gallery 2, SAIC, Chicago, IL
- 1991
Amalgamations, Gallery 2, SAIC, Chicago, IL
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GROUP EXHIBITS
- 2009
Expanded Studio Project, IGCA, Anchorage, AK
- 2008
New Love, MTS Gallery, Anchorage, AK
100 x 100, IGCA, Anchorage, AK
Art/Challenge - June: Ceiling, IGCA, Anchorage, AK
UAA Faculty Exhibition, Kimura Gallery, University of Alaska Anchorage
- 2007
Member Artist Exhibition, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
ION, IGCA/Out North Gallery, Anchorage AK
- 2006
Member Artist Exhibition, International Gallery of Contemporary Art, Anchorage, AK
UAA Faculty Exhibition, Kimura Gallery, University of Alaska Anchorage
Seeing Red, Mat-Su Faculty Exhibit, Student Union Gallery, UAA
- 2004
Valley Friday Invitational, Matanuska-Susitna College, Palmer, AK
- 2003
Environment, Carr Gottstein Gallery, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
Alaska Botanical Garden Outdoor Art Show, Anchorage, AK
- 2002
Atrium Installation, University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks, AK
Environment, Carr Gottstein Gallery, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK
Alaska Botanical Garden Outdoor Art Show, Anchorage, AK
- 2000
RAW: One Night Stand, sponsored by SoNot, Ester, AK
Invitational Show, Decker Morris Gallery, Anchorage, AK
- 1999
Group Exhibition, premier exhibit for Well Street Art Company, Fairbanks, AK
Faculty Show, UAF Student Art Gallery, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, AK
- 1998
National Art Educators Conference Exhibit, UAF, Fairbanks, AK
- 1997
Site 250 Gallery Artists Exhibition, Fairbanks, AK
- 1996
Past and Present, work by instructors of the Summer Fine Arts Camp, Fairbanks, AK
- 1995
Site 250 Group Show, Fairbanks, AK
- 1993
Skowhegan Open Studio, Skowhegan, ME
- 1992
Jackson, Hammond, McCrae, Saito, Hofman and Furman, Gallery 2, SAIC, Chicago, IL
Master of Fine Arts Thesis Show, SAIC, Chicago, IL
- 1991
Vocabulary Fetishes, SAIC display case, Chicago, IL
Disturbed Furniture, installation with Andrea Schumacher, SAIC, Chicago, IL
- 1986
Invitational Show, WARM Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
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UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- University of Alaska at Anchorage
Fiber Arts Coordinator
Woven Forms - Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009
Fiber Structures - Fall 2009
- University of Alaska at Anchorage
Adjunct Faculty
2-D Design - Fall 2005
3-D Design - Fall 2006, Spring/Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009
Color Design - Fall 2007, Fall 2008
Beginning Drawing - Spring 2008
- University of Alaska at Anchorage/Mat-Su College
Term Appointment - full time, Spring 2006
2-D Design
3-D Design
Surface Design (Beg/Int/Adv)
Woven Forms (Beg/Int/Adv)
- Matanuska-Susitna College
Adjunct Faculty
Fiber Structures (Beg/Int/Adv) - Fall 2004, Fall 2005, Fall 2006, Fall 2007
Surface Design (Beg/Int/Adv) - Spring 2005, Spring 2007
Woven Forms (Beg/Int/Adv) - Spring/Fall 2005
3-D Design - Spring 2005
Introduction to Humanities - Fall 2005
- University of Alaska at Fairbanks
Assistant Professor
Art History I (prehistory-Renaissance) - Fall 1999
Art History II (Renaissance - present) - Spring 2000
Italian Renaissance (1300’s through Mannerism) - Spring 2000
- University of Alaska at Anchorage Military Extension Program Eielson Air Force Base
Adjunct Faculty
Introduction to Humanities - Fall 96, Spring & Fall 97
Art Appreciation - Spring , Summer & Fall 95; Spring , Summer & Fall 96;
Spring & Summer 97; Spring 98
Art History I - Spring 96; Spring & Fall 97; Spring & Summer 99
Art History II - Spring 96; Summer 99
Beginning Drawing - Summer 99
- University of Alaska at Fairbanks
Adjunct Faculty
Introduction to Humanities - Fall 98
Art/Music/Theater (200x) - Fall 96; Spring 98
Beginning Sculpture and Intermediate/Advanced Sculpture - Fall 94; Spring 95
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Teaching Assistant
3-D Foundations - Spring 92
Hand Construction (Intro to Fibers) - Fall 91
Art History Survey (Ancient to Modern) - Fall 91 and
Art History Survey (Modern to Post-Modern) - Spring 92
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WORKSHOPS
- 2009
Pop Art Silkscreen - IGNITE Gifted Program, Chugach and Governtment Hill
Mini-Course Teacher - Chugach Optional Intensive Program,
Woodworking for grade-school students
- 2008
Text/Texture/Textile - International Gallery of Contemporary Art
ARTreach Visual Art Workshops
Interdisciplinary mixed media workshop in textile construction
Mini-Course Teacher - Chugach Optional Intensive Program
Woodworking for grade-school students
- 2007
Mini-Course Teacher - Chugach Optional Intensive Program
Maskmaking for grade-school students
- 2006
Surface Design Workshop - Beth Sholom Summer Camp
- 2005
Mini-Course Teacher - Chugach Optional Intensive Program
Papermaking and bookbinding for grade-school students
- 2004
Wind Toys - Anchorage Museum of History and Art
Summer workshop for grade school students.
- 1995 University of Alaska Summer Fine Arts Camp
Two four-week sculpture classes for 7th, 8th and 9th grade art students.
Fairbanks Weavers & Spinners Guild
Three one-week classes in bookbinding and maskmaking for the Guild’s
summer program for children.
- 1993-94
Paper Source Chicago
Several one- and two-day workshops in various bookbinding techniques
- 1992
Oxbow Summer Programs
Assistant, Large Format Papermaking with Richard Hungerford
Prepared paper pulp and papermaking screens
- 1991
Art Institute of Chicago Non-Degree Programs
Student Aid, Navy Pier Free Art Classes
Assisted instructors and administrators in free summer-long outdoor art workshops
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VISITING ARTIST LECTURES/CONFERENCES
- 2006
POLARities: Aesthetics/Experiments/Observations, Arctic Science Conference, Exhibit Artist presentations, UA Museum of the North, Fairbanks
- 1999
Guest Speaker - Art Expo '99, Fairbanks Watercolor Society, UAF Student Art Club
Lecture on presentation of artwork through slide portfolios, exhibit proposals, artist statements, and resumes.
- 1998
Lecturer - National Arts Educators Conference
Guest speaker for the lecture series
VISITING ARTIST RESIDENCIES
- 2001
Professional Artist in Residence, Oxbow Summer School, one week residency
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RELATED EDUCATION
- 2007
Alaska Native Heritage Center, Chilkat Warp Spinning, taught by Elaine Etokyok, and Chilkat Blanket Weaving, taught by Anna Elhers Brown
University of Alaska - Anchorage, Beginning Modern Dance, UAA
- 1996
University of Alaska - Fairbanks, Advanced Sculpture
MIG and oxy/acetylene welding techniques, ceramic shell bronze casting techniques. Assisted in both major bronze pours.
- 1992
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan ME
Two-month summer program for 65 selected artists, worked with resident professionals, including Kiki Smith, Ann Hamilton, and Therese Oulton.
Woodworking and welding workshops. Sculpture studio assistant/monitor
- 1991-1992
Oxbow Summer Programs, Saugatuk, MI
Workshops in Experimental and Large Format Papermaking with Rick Hungerford
- 1988-1989
Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN
Workshops in Japanese Bookbinding and Papermaking
- 1985
University of Northern Colorado
Two-day feltmaking workshop
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PUBLICATIONS and REVIEWS
- 2009
Alaska Statehood Quilt Exhibit catalog, "Commemorative Quilts: Truth and Memory", essay written for the exhibit catalog, Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center
- 2003
Anchorage Daily News, "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart Now Baby", review by Julie Decker, January 23, 2003
- 1999
Anchorage Daily News, “Lowell’s Closet Spills into Gallery”, review by Mike Dunham, November 26, 1999
- 1997
Fairbanks Daily News Miner, “Sculptures Alter Sense of Proportion”, review by Heather Robertson, January 9, 1997
- 1996
Relics, Artifacts and Mysteries Exhibition Catalogs
(both Fairbanks and Anchorage versions)
Anchorage Daily News, “An Art Collection Worthy of Ripley’s Reviews”, by Tracy Pilch, December 15, 1996
- 1995
A Sense of Wonder Exhibition Catalog
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RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2007
Costumer, Anchorage Theatre for Young People, Summer Camp
- 2003
Percent for Art Committee Member, Alaska State Council on the Arts, DEC
Seafood and Food Safety Lab
- 1999
Artist - Fairbanks North Star School District
Designed by Eloise Larson, art specialist for the school district, to teach
elementary students about form and pattern.
Juror, Ice Alaska 1999, Fairbanks AK, large-block classic ice sculpture competition.
- 1997-99
Fairbanks Arts Association Visual Art Committee, Co-Chair.
- 1998
Fairbanks Arts Association Portfolio Review Committee
- 1996
Percent for Art Committee Member, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Ben Crawford Elementary School
Volunteer Gallery Assistant, Site 250 Fine Art, Fairbanks, AK
Copy writer, Relics, Artifacts and Mysteries exhibition and show catalog.
Juror, Fairbanks Arts Association. Selected artists for the 1998 exhibition season.
Juror, Up with Art 1996, Fairbanks North Star School District annual student art show (grades K - 12). Alaskaland Gallery, Fairbanks, AK.
- 1995
Juror, Ice Alaska 1995, Fairbanks AK, single-block classic ice sculpture competition
- 1991-93
Paper Buyer, The Paper Source Exotic and Handmade Papers, Chicago, IL
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AWARDS
- 2001
Career Opportunity Grant, Alaska State Council on the Arts
William Carl Olendorf Scholarship, tuition for Professional Artist in Residence at Oxbow, Saugatuck, MI
- 1995
Jerod Baker Award, 64th Parallel Show, Fairbanks, AK.
- 1993
Tuition Fellowship, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
1990-1992 Tuition Fellowship, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
