Through an artistic practice that melds sculptural and traditional craft processes, my work draws on the familiarity of repurposed materials, investigating the ways in which our memories become associated and entangled with the items we come in daily contact with. I use the work as a way to pursue my continued interest in the narratives and rituals of these items, and specifically to explore effects of adaptation and transformation as a way to connect with one another.
My work is physical: I cut apart, visibly repair, and reconfigure found and discarded textiles in order to artistically deconstruct their histories and make evident their crafted nature. In installations, the materiality of these textiles is contrasted with other materials like wood, steel, and plastic, all found and recycled themselves, but activating connections between the mending and upkeep of personal belongings and the necessity of care within larger environmental systems. New forms are created with new narratives, but maintain connections to past lives of their constituent materials. This change in perspective offers the viewer a new vocabulary with which to approach how they engage the physical world around them, and see the part they play in the web of upkeep.
My work creates devices for telling contemporary stories through remnants of the past, and suggests new ways of engaging memory through the physical nature and ongoing repurposing of objects.
maryj99@icloud.com
EDUCATION
2007 MFA University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN
2003 BFA University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire WI
AWARDS & RESIDENCIES Artist Residency, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
Open Studio Fellow, Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2018 Public Art Commission, Hudson RiveFest, Hudson WI, 2013
Artist Residency & Commission, Mora Public Schools, Mora MN, 2013
Public Art Commission, Public Art Saint Paul, St Paul MN, 2009
Jerome Fellowship Artist, Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2008
Artist Residency, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO, 2007
Public Art Commission, MN DNR, St Paul MN, 2007
SOLO & 2-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
Shelterbelt, Conkling Gallery, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
2 Person Exhibition, (w/Andrew MacGuffie), NE Sculpture | Gallery Factory, Minneapolis MN, 2019
Once in a While, Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson WI, 2016
Everything Must Go, Franconia in the City @ Casket, Minneapolis MN, 2015
Small Visitors, Modern Cafe, Minneapolis MN, 2011
The Visitors, Art Jones Gallery 2nd St Annex, Minneapolis MN, 2010
2 Person Exhibition, (w/Jonathan Bridges) WORK Gallery, Brooklyn NY, 2008
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
50x50, Quarter Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, 2019
Ecocentric, Gordon Parks Gallery, St Paul MN, 2017
Take Me With You, John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan WI, 2014
Strong Women, Jewish Museum of NJ, Newark NJ, 2013
Field Trip, Silverwood Park in partnership with Walker Art Center Open Field, St Anthony MN, 2011-12
Iron Maidens, touring exhibition, Catherine G. Murphy Gallery; Saint John’s University, 2011-12
An Exchange with Sol Lewitt, MASS MoCA, North Adams MA, 2011
National Iron, Missoula Art Museum, Missoula MT, 2010
Carnival, Bootleg Exhibitions, Indianapolis IN, 2010
I Heart Art, Wassaic Project, WORK Gallery, Brooklyn NY, 2009
Paradigm Shift, MCAD, Minneapolis MN, 2009
Wicked Matter, Larson Gallery, St Paul MN, 2007
Iron Tribe, Highlands University Gallery, Las Vegas NM, 2007
Construct-N-Strut, Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis MN, 2006
Art of the Doll, Pump House Regional Arts Center, La Crosse WI, 2006
Untitled 5, SooVac, Minneapolis MN, 2006
Bridging Art + Technology, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Ironbridge, Telford UK, 2006
56th Arrowhead Biennial, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth MN, 2005
Art of Democracy Tools of Persuasion, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis MN, 2004
MOVE, Rochester Art Center, Rochester MN, 2004
Art on the Plains 6, Plains Art Museum, Fargo ND, 2003
Nothing New, Textile Center of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, 2003
9/11, Rochester Art Center, Rochester MN, 2002
Hot House, No Name Exhibitions at the Soap Factory, Minneapolis MN, 2001
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, & MEDIA
Art exhibit stuns students, Lidia Vassar, MSU Reporter, 2019
Explore 5 amazing sculpture parks that aren't the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden,
Lauren Beaubaire, Twin Cities Agenda, 2018
Indulge in the Ecocentric, CT Corum, The Metropolitan, 2017
St. Croix cleanup turns into art, Dave Peterson, Star Tribune, July 2015
Strong Women 2013, Armisey Smith, exhibition catalogue, 2013
Contemporary art collaboration performances at Vasaloppet art show, Kristen Blake, Kanabec County Times, February 2013
Exploring Western Sculpture Park in St Paul, Coco Mault, CBS Minnesota Arts & Culture, 2012
Iron Women: 16 female artists who sculpt with iron, Mary Abbe, StarTribune, 2011
Field Trip: No Permission Slips Necessary, Katie Czarniecki Hill, Walker Reader, 2011
Elephantine Rabbit Debut, Jim Gehrz, Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 2009
Paradigm Shift: Honoring Kinji Akagawa at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design,
Kristin Makholm, exhibition catalogue, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Press, 2009
Nature’s Playground, Jean Hopfensperger, Minneapolis, StarTribune, April 2008
Viva and Jerry’s Country Videos, featured sculpture and guest appearance, 2007 & 2008
Frankenstuffed, Tom Hafner, The Minnesota Daily, October 2006
56th Arrowhead Biennial, Christi Atkinson, exhibition catalogue, 2005 Undecided But Leaning Toward Skull: Art in the Age of Spin, Geoffrey Sirc, mnartist, October 2004
Art From Recycled Materials, Teresa Paschke, Surface Design Journal, Volume 28, Spring 2004
Art Show Reflects World We Live in Now, Rochester Minnesota, Post Bulletin, 2002
VISITING ARTIST TALKS
Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2018
Metropolitan State University, Gordon Parks Gallery, St Paul MN, 2017
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Sculpture Studio, Minneapolis MN, 2015
St John’s University Art Galleries, Panelist, Collegeville MN, 2012
College of Visual Arts, Sculpture Studio, St Paul MN, 2010
Phipps Center for the Arts, Black Box Theater, Hudson WI, 2008
St Catherine College, Sculpture Seminar, St Paul MN, 2008
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO, 2007
(CV available on request)
My work is physical: I cut apart, visibly repair, and reconfigure found and discarded textiles in order to artistically deconstruct their histories and make evident their crafted nature. In installations, the materiality of these textiles is contrasted with other materials like wood, steel, and plastic, all found and recycled themselves, but activating connections between the mending and upkeep of personal belongings and the necessity of care within larger environmental systems. New forms are created with new narratives, but maintain connections to past lives of their constituent materials. This change in perspective offers the viewer a new vocabulary with which to approach how they engage the physical world around them, and see the part they play in the web of upkeep.
My work creates devices for telling contemporary stories through remnants of the past, and suggests new ways of engaging memory through the physical nature and ongoing repurposing of objects.
maryj99@icloud.com
EDUCATION
2007 MFA University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN
2003 BFA University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire WI
AWARDS & RESIDENCIES Artist Residency, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
Open Studio Fellow, Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2018 Public Art Commission, Hudson RiveFest, Hudson WI, 2013
Artist Residency & Commission, Mora Public Schools, Mora MN, 2013
Public Art Commission, Public Art Saint Paul, St Paul MN, 2009
Jerome Fellowship Artist, Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2008
Artist Residency, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO, 2007
Public Art Commission, MN DNR, St Paul MN, 2007
SOLO & 2-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
Shelterbelt, Conkling Gallery, Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
2 Person Exhibition, (w/Andrew MacGuffie), NE Sculpture | Gallery Factory, Minneapolis MN, 2019
Once in a While, Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson WI, 2016
Everything Must Go, Franconia in the City @ Casket, Minneapolis MN, 2015
Small Visitors, Modern Cafe, Minneapolis MN, 2011
The Visitors, Art Jones Gallery 2nd St Annex, Minneapolis MN, 2010
2 Person Exhibition, (w/Jonathan Bridges) WORK Gallery, Brooklyn NY, 2008
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
50x50, Quarter Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, 2019
Ecocentric, Gordon Parks Gallery, St Paul MN, 2017
Take Me With You, John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan WI, 2014
Strong Women, Jewish Museum of NJ, Newark NJ, 2013
Field Trip, Silverwood Park in partnership with Walker Art Center Open Field, St Anthony MN, 2011-12
Iron Maidens, touring exhibition, Catherine G. Murphy Gallery; Saint John’s University, 2011-12
An Exchange with Sol Lewitt, MASS MoCA, North Adams MA, 2011
National Iron, Missoula Art Museum, Missoula MT, 2010
Carnival, Bootleg Exhibitions, Indianapolis IN, 2010
I Heart Art, Wassaic Project, WORK Gallery, Brooklyn NY, 2009
Paradigm Shift, MCAD, Minneapolis MN, 2009
Wicked Matter, Larson Gallery, St Paul MN, 2007
Iron Tribe, Highlands University Gallery, Las Vegas NM, 2007
Construct-N-Strut, Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis MN, 2006
Art of the Doll, Pump House Regional Arts Center, La Crosse WI, 2006
Untitled 5, SooVac, Minneapolis MN, 2006
Bridging Art + Technology, Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Ironbridge, Telford UK, 2006
56th Arrowhead Biennial, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth MN, 2005
Art of Democracy Tools of Persuasion, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis MN, 2004
MOVE, Rochester Art Center, Rochester MN, 2004
Art on the Plains 6, Plains Art Museum, Fargo ND, 2003
Nothing New, Textile Center of Minnesota, Minneapolis MN, 2003
9/11, Rochester Art Center, Rochester MN, 2002
Hot House, No Name Exhibitions at the Soap Factory, Minneapolis MN, 2001
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS, ARTICLES, & MEDIA
Art exhibit stuns students, Lidia Vassar, MSU Reporter, 2019
Explore 5 amazing sculpture parks that aren't the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden,
Lauren Beaubaire, Twin Cities Agenda, 2018
Indulge in the Ecocentric, CT Corum, The Metropolitan, 2017
St. Croix cleanup turns into art, Dave Peterson, Star Tribune, July 2015
Strong Women 2013, Armisey Smith, exhibition catalogue, 2013
Contemporary art collaboration performances at Vasaloppet art show, Kristen Blake, Kanabec County Times, February 2013
Exploring Western Sculpture Park in St Paul, Coco Mault, CBS Minnesota Arts & Culture, 2012
Iron Women: 16 female artists who sculpt with iron, Mary Abbe, StarTribune, 2011
Field Trip: No Permission Slips Necessary, Katie Czarniecki Hill, Walker Reader, 2011
Elephantine Rabbit Debut, Jim Gehrz, Minneapolis Star Tribune, August 2009
Paradigm Shift: Honoring Kinji Akagawa at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design,
Kristin Makholm, exhibition catalogue, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Press, 2009
Nature’s Playground, Jean Hopfensperger, Minneapolis, StarTribune, April 2008
Viva and Jerry’s Country Videos, featured sculpture and guest appearance, 2007 & 2008
Frankenstuffed, Tom Hafner, The Minnesota Daily, October 2006
56th Arrowhead Biennial, Christi Atkinson, exhibition catalogue, 2005 Undecided But Leaning Toward Skull: Art in the Age of Spin, Geoffrey Sirc, mnartist, October 2004
Art From Recycled Materials, Teresa Paschke, Surface Design Journal, Volume 28, Spring 2004
Art Show Reflects World We Live in Now, Rochester Minnesota, Post Bulletin, 2002
VISITING ARTIST TALKS
Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato MN, 2019
Franconia Sculpture Park, Franconia MN, 2018
Metropolitan State University, Gordon Parks Gallery, St Paul MN, 2017
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Sculpture Studio, Minneapolis MN, 2015
St John’s University Art Galleries, Panelist, Collegeville MN, 2012
College of Visual Arts, Sculpture Studio, St Paul MN, 2010
Phipps Center for the Arts, Black Box Theater, Hudson WI, 2008
St Catherine College, Sculpture Seminar, St Paul MN, 2008
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City MO, 2007
(CV available on request)