What is my work about?
My work questions the line that exists between strength and weakness, control and disorder: taking the form of porcelain and mixed material objects. In my work, beauty is at odds with the destructive qualities of the medium. My almost ritualistic planning is thwarted by the unpredictability of the outcome of the resulting object. The twisted, bloated, and cracked forms belie strength inherent to the medium and suggest an awkwardness that stems from physical duress and material manipulation. They oscillate between more organic abstract forms that suggest rocks or bodily organs to vessel forms that draw inspiration from ancient forms yet whose function is ambiguous or invented. These objects become proxies for personal emotions and relationships, so that somewhat recognizable forms are imbued with a more universal, public expression. Ultimately my hope is that the viewers see the fragility in life, the tensions between the surfaces and interiors and consider their own lives.
Artist Statement
While my current artistic practice can be defined as interdisciplinary, there has been a particular focus on ceramics in the past three years. During this time I have had the opportunity to glean tremendous technical knowledge, allowing me to develop a nuanced voice in this genre. In turn these skills have served to expand my technical artistic vocabulary, which I would characterize as being largely informed by process and craft. Armed with diverse knowledge of materials and techniques, I utilize their technical potential and historical use and meaning to reinterpret everyday objects. I make forms as vessels or containers of emotional and psychological complexity that address personal history through cultural objects, whether they draw inspiration from ancient Iranian vessels or Dutch furniture. Resulting from this interest and investigation are works that are equal parts poetic and pathetic.
CV
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND PROJECTS
2014
SITE/DISPLACE, Kristen Lorello, New York, New York
PERSONAL PREHISTORIES, Scaramouche, New York, New York, curated by Marco Antonini
NADA NYC, exhibited by Regina Rex, New York, New York
If that’s the name wewl do the same: Kristen Jensen + Nicholas Moenich, Harbor Gallery, Brooklyn, New York
Former Models: An Exhibition, BRIC house, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Merkx & Gwynne
Oblique Strategies, Peter Fingesten Gallery, Pace University, New York, New York, curated by Emmy Mikelson
2013
10 Years Anniversary Show, Gallery Poulsen, Copenhagen, Denmark
To Be A Lady: An International Celebration Of Women In The Arts, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Singapore, curated by Jason Andrew
Cisco Sysco Sisqo, The Rockaways, New York, curated by Tom Simon, Alina Tenser and Kristof Wickman
Unhinged group exhibition, Pierogi, Brooklyn, New York
Valori Plastici group exhibition, Nicelle Beauchene, New York, New York
Do It (Outside) group exhibition, Socrates Sculpture Park, LIC, New York, curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist
Lucky Draw 2013, SculptureCenter, LIC, New York
Dynasty, an exhibition modeled on the dynamics of multigenerational families, Hotel Particulier, New York, New York, curated by Amy Goldrich, Christopher K. Ho, Omar Lopez-Chahoud, and Sara Reisman
Monsalvat a Merkx & Gwynne project, Bureau, New York, New York, organized with Maliea Croy
2012
Piece Of Blue And Other Proxies, solo installation, Room X at Bortolami Gallery, New York, New York
To Be A Lady: Forty Five Women In The Arts group exhibition, Avenue of the Americas Art Gallery, New York, New York, curated by Jason Andrew
Taste group exhibition, Small Black Door, Brooklyn, New York
Can’t Stop Rock Lobster group exhibition, Shoot the Lobster/Martos Gallery, New York, New York, curated by Merkx & Gwynne
It’s No Ones Fault solo exhibition, Norte Maar, Brooklyn, New York
Soft Opening group exhibition, Heliopolis, Brooklyn, New York
Momenta Art Benefit, Momenta Art, Brooklyn, New York
2011
Tale group exhibition, Brooklyn, NY curated by Lynn Sullivan
Pop Up Portrait Show group exhibition, Scot Cohen, Hudson, New York, curated by Austin Thomas
Anomalous Urges group exhibition, Vaudeville Park, Brooklyn, New York, curated by Courtney Tramposh
Read All Over group exhibition, Bystander Gallery, Los Angeles, California, curated by Craig Platt
2010
Haute Romantics group exhibition, Verge Gallery, Sacramento, California, curated by Paddy Johnson
Magicality group exhibition, Platform Gallery, Seattle, Washington, curated by Eric Trosko and William Powhida
Hunter Mfa Thesis Show, Hunter College/Times Square Gallery, New York, New York
Transportable Mind, Área Lugar De Proyectos, Puerto Rico, curated by Christopher Rivera
Wherever: Small Works In A Portable Room, various sites, New York, New York
2009
Vacation From Mine, collaborative performance/installation with Cian McConn, X Initiative, New York, New York
Mas SELECT Mfas, Times Square Gallery, New York, New York
2008
Give group exhibition, Union Gallery, New York, New York
Video Screening, Apexart, New York, New York
2006
Little Women, group exhibition, Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery, Brooklyn, New York curated by James Kalm
2005
My Objects solo exhibition, Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery, Brooklyn, New York
2003-Present
Pierogi 2000 Artist Flat File, Pierogi 2000, Brooklyn, New York
Viewing Program, Drawing Center, New York, New York
EDUCATION AND RESIDENCIES
Associate Curator, Thomas Hunter Project Space, New York, New York
Artist In Residence And Guest Lecturer, Hunter College, 2010 through 2012
MFA Hunter College, New York, New York
BFA Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York