SURFACE and IN TURN Exhibition Catalog

SUrFacE emerging artists of new mexico

& in TUrn students/interns/artists

SURFACE and IN TURN are presented by Harwood Art Center, a program of Escuela del Sol Montessori, in partnership with Albuquerque Art Business Association / ArtsCrawl.

COVER: Renee McKitterick, Untitled (Sponge)

!

|

ABOVE: Maria Ross, Swell

SUrFacE emerging artists of new mexico courtnee bennett adam billie molly bradbury katie carillo devon fox jane gordon laura green hilary heyl renee mckitterick katherine minott ben roe jr. maria ross david santiago justin yazzie jessica zekus

& in TUrn students/interns/artists sarah dewey haley english tina yara-nieto

JUnE 2013 exhibition june 7 – 28 reception june 7, 6 – 8p

About harwood galleries & exhibitions Harwood Art Center’s galleries are dedicated to providing exhibition, audience expansion and professional development opportunities to artists working in all media. Harwood Staff curate four exhibitions annually; the remaining months are awarded to individuals and groups through a competitive application process.

For more information, please visit harwoodartcenter.org or email gallery@harwoodartcenter.org

ABOVE: David Santiago, Red

|

RIGHT: Justin Yazzie, Humanities

SUrFacE emerging artists of new mexico

artist selection by joan fenicle, albuquerque art business association guruamrit khalsa, harwood art center julia mandeville, harwood art center jill riester, albuquerque art business association exhibition curated and program materials prepared by guruamrit khalsa, harwood art center julia mandeville, harwood art center artist submissions processed by stephanie reich, harwood art center / university of new mexico professional development workshop panelists andrew connors, curator of art, albuquerque museum of art and history fernando delgado, artist / photographer marjorie devon, director, tamarind institute viviette hunt, director, richard levy gallery grady jaynes, web consultant jivan lee, artist / painter libby lumpkin, professor of art history and criticism, university of new mexico bc nowlin, artist / painter gregory pleshaw, arts editor, the weekly alibi valerie tibbits, owner, weyrich gallery nancy zastudil, curator and consultant / the necessarian

SUrFacE & in TUrn emerging artists of new mexico!

students/interns/artists!!

SURFACE and IN TURN are presented by Harwood Art Center, a program of Escuela del Sol Montessori, in partnership with Albuquerque Art Business Association.

For over 40 years, Escuela del Sol, an independent Montessori school, has nurtured creativity, independence and academic excellence. Harwood Art Center expands the school’s philosophy to serve a broad audience of youth and adults with a variety of programs, including art classes, studio rentals, gallery exhibitions and community outreach projects, as well as apprenticeship, teaching and professional development opportunities.

Escuela and Harwood are dedicated to building a love of lifelong learning, creative expression and positive impact on our community and our world. harwood art center – escuela del sol board of directors maria garcia geer, president deborah chavez, treasurer elizabeth marcilla, secretary inga tomlinson, board – staff liaison fay abrams john barney samantha clark ann edenfield-sweet friedje vangils (ex-officio) harwood art center staff friedje vangils, executive director and head of school jennifer depaolo, community outreach coordinator don hebb, facilities manager guruamrit khalsa, director of administrative services chris loss, business manager julia mandeville, director of programs and community relations elizabeth marcilla, assistant head of school vashti moss, director of youth arts and education jessie rogers, director of communications lita sandoval, event coordinator … plus 30 amazing teachers and support staff and 75 teaching artists and apprentices!

!

ProGraM ParTnEr Harwood Art Center is proud to present SURFACE: Emerging Artists of New Mexico in partnership with Albuquerque Art Business Association (AABA).

Since 1990, on every Third Friday of the month, AABA has held ARTScrawl in different neighborhoods of the city. In 2005, AABA added First Friday ARTScrawl, a citywide event. Both ARTScrawl and First Friday are self-guided gallery tours with exhibit openings, artist receptions, demonstrations and special events.

In addition to ARTScrawl, SURFACE and myriad other programs, AABA produces the annual Local Treasures each September, honoring outstanding local artists who also give back to the community.

ProGraM SUpporTErS All of Harwood’s programming is inspired by our commitment to community. We are constantly impressed by the level of participation, investment and support our community gives back. The Board and Staff of Harwood wish to thank all of our members and friends, in particular: we are deeply thankful to ! the FUNd at albuquerque community foundation! mccune charitable foundation! new mexico arts and national endowment for the arts! for their support of SURFACE: emerging artists of new mexico!

! as well as to! marion & kathryn crissey! reggie gammon! for establishing our endowed awards for this program!

! we offer special appreciation to! john maestas! roy johnson, sumner & dene gallery!

SUrFacE emerging artists of new mexico

SURFACE is an annual juried exhibition, professional development and endowed cash awards program presented by Harwood Art Center, in partnership with Albuquerque Art Business Association (AABA) / ArtsCrawl. In 2013, our first year, we received over 90 complete applications from around New Mexico, and we evaluated them based on quality and cohesion of work, clarity of written statements, stated objectives and description of practice. We selected 15 exceptionally talented, committed artists in different states of emergence…

CourTnEE BEnnETT Albuquerque, NM

With education and experience in geology, medicine and art, Courtnee Bennett has a unique background for an artist. She attained a Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Planetary Sciences with a minor in Art from Washington University in St. Louis. After completing the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program at Agnes Scott College, working as a geologist for several years, and drawing on the side, Courtnee realized her true passion is art. She received her Master of Fine Arts and Master of Art Education at the University of Cincinnati in June 2009. She is currently teaching high school art in Albuquerque.

The Artist’s Words: “In this fast-paced world, we rush through our routines, failing to notice the small things that surround us every day. For this series, I slowed my pace and focused my attention on the particulars of life. It is a retrospective of the details I encountered daily, focusing on ‘the small stuff.’”

!

adaM n. bILLIE Albuquerque, NM Originally from Pueblo Pintado, NM, Adam Billie is half Navajo. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Art and Art History from The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Previously, Adam studied Indigenous Liberal Studies at The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. His main focus throughout his undergraduate studies has been printmaking and ceramics, however he also works in many other mediums.

The Artist’s Words: “Since the fall of 2012, my work has focused on photographic interpretations of the personal journey that has lead me to learn and preserve an obscure way of life. In my work, I address the discovery of my Navajo heritage and culture, the clash of Western and Navajo cultures, and the struggle to find a physical and spiritual balance within the world and myself.

By placing ordinary objects and layering them with my own distinctive stories, I strive to connect modern thought with traditional perspective; this is an attempt to bring my community’s past, present, and future into focus.”

MoLLy Bradbury Santa Fe, NM Molly Bradbury is a video and sound artist working in Santa Fe, NM. Bradbury has studied music since childhood, and applies her knowledge of sound to her video works today. Bradbury studied Intermedia Art at Mills College with a focus on electronic music composition. At Mills she had numerous opportunities to create video works in contexts of improvisational music performance, modern dance performance and gallery installation.

Bradbury has recently completed Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of New Mexico with a concentration in Electronic Arts.

The Artist’s Words: “I make sound and video works, though my medium is time. Manipulating video footage and sound recordings I make, I am able to transform the ordinary into the phenomenal. The experience of my videos allows the audience to let go of their daily concerns and surrender to an experience of otherness. A comfortable dissonance.”!

kaTIE carILLo Rio Rancho, NM Katie Carillo has lived in Albuquerque most of her life. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Studio and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of New Mexico in 2012. Katie presented a solo honors thesis exhibition at the Boro Gallery in April 2012 and has participated in local group shows at the Tortuga Gallery, Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque, N4th Gallery, and Silver Avenue Loft.

The Artist’s Words: “As an artist I am interested in communicating the different ways in which humans interact with and understand the complexity of life. Growing up In New Mexico I developed a love for our local ecology as well as a fascination for contrasting marine life. Although diverse, these organisms have qualities that connect them. In nature, a species' form and appearance has evolved because it is fundamental to its survival. Intrinsically beautiful as well as functional, these patterns have inspired humans to create simplified and idealized forms to increase the aesthetic value of objects. These larger paintings highlight that oversimplification.”

dEVon FoX Las Vegas, NM DeVon Fox lived most of her life in Oklahoma until moving to Santa Fe and later Las Vegas, NM. Along the way, DeVon received bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene and English/Film and is now studying photography at Santa Fe Community College. In Las Vegas, DeVon has participated in several group shows associated with Las Vegas Arts Council, Meadow City Camera Club, and Art Essentials, an art supply store. Traveler's Cafe has shown her work twice: a series of photos entitled "Rockabilly Babe" and another: "American Doll." After graduation, she plans to start a photography business.

The Artist’s Words: “My vision is to create images of myself, women, and men that make me think and that comment on gender, femininity, feminism, and sexual identity.

I began taking self-portraits in 2012 after I learned about Francesca Woodman’s selfportraiture. In the vein of her work, I continue doing this. It is said that artists make self-portraits to claim their ‘being’ in the world. This is, in essence, why I photograph – to affirm the feeling that flows through my body when I am creating art.”

JanE gordon Albuquerque, NM Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jane moved to Albuquerque in January 2010 to attend graduate school at the University of New Mexico. Coming from the “land of 10,000 lakes” to the high desert was a huge shift, and provided as many challenges as it did inspirations. She loves spending time outdoors, cooking, eating, and sharing delicious food, and planning for her next big adventure. Jane considers her strong work ethic one of the most important facets of her personality, but is learning to honor resting and relaxing as a necessity for a fulfilling and productive life.

The Artist’s Words: “Themes in my work revolve around survival in a time of social, cultural, and environmental uncertainty. Process and labor are central to my practice, the repetitive movements from working in multiples provide a flow state, bringing some peace, relief from my anxieties about our species, planet, and the other inhabitants we share it with. I enjoy the physical interaction of my body and pieces in a landscape, and select spaces that are within the sphere of my everyday life but are not extraordinary: hoping my work can provide a jolt of novelty in places that do not regularly garner attention.”

LaUra grEEn Corrales, NM

Laura Green is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of New Mexico in 1992 and had several shows in Albuquerque galleries in the 1990’s (including AC2, Andaluz Gallery, and the Windows Project). She was the pre-school and elementary art teacher at Montessori of the Rio Grande for 7 years and continues to teach workshops and classes for children. In 2009 she earned a Master of Science in biology from the University of New Mexico and has since worked as a research assistant. She lives with her husband and 6-yearold daughter in Corrales, New Mexico.

The Artist’s Words: “The paintings are meant to function as decorative objects while also describing a landscape. Embellishments like sequins, pom-poms, trim, and fake flowers are woven into each environment and interact formally with the paint, helping to resolve transitions and develop an illusionary and abstract space in what is really a shallow relief built from appliqué and stuffing. I like the idea of using materials that are associated with a kind of additive surface beauty to create something that is beautiful in a more intrinsic way.”

hILary hEyL Albuquerque, NM Hilary Heyl has been weaving contemporary tapestries since 1999, when she enrolled in the El Rito Fiber Arts Program in northern New Mexico. Taught Rio Grande techniques by Karen Martinez of Chimayo and design, color and natural dyes by Leslie King of El Rito, Hilary then pursued a three year apprenticeship with Donna Loraine Contractor in Albuquerque, from whom she learned the application of ancient Greek mathematical principles (such as the golden mean, the Fibonacci sequence and root two rectangles). Her weavings currently focus on symbols of the sacred feminine that have presented themselves in her designs and studies.

The Artist’s Words: “Technically informed by Rio Grande technique and the mathematics inherent in the beauty of Mother Nature, I am also inspired by a love of color, meditation practice and abstract symbols. I weave to celebrate color, texture, form and patterns, and how they can mirror essential hues of the beauty of being alive as a woman. While the design process is very intentional and often mathematical, the weaving process is usually very meditative. I strive to express my own true voice in weaving, with a contemporary signature that speaks a universal language of beauty.”

rEnEE MckITTErIck Albuquerque, NM Renee McKitterick is a native of Ohio where she attended Ohio State University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 2008. More recently Renee received her Master of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico. Moving to the southwest has provided a new lens of inspiration for Renee’s curiosities into sculptural landscapes, bodies and memory. Renee often works in multiples and installation to investigate issues and create engaging environments for the viewer.

The Artist’s Words: “I look at my work as a story. A never-ending narrative of moments spanning issues of body and decay, to landscape and space. My art making practice becomes the vehicle for my own understanding. I believe we each have a story to tell. It starts with the long continuum of lineage we are hatched from and continues through every moment we comprise to create our reality. My hand has memory. My hand tells a story. Continuing my art making is a way to continue my investigation of the world and to share what I see and how I see it with others.”

kaTHErInE MInoTT Tesuque, NM Katherine Minott grew up in Massachusetts. She then attended Prescott College in Arizona, earning a Master of Arts in English. Minott has been living in the American West since 1991. Having instructed college students in writing for over a decade, she is now far more interested in producing the photograph that is worth a 1000 words, and bypassing language altogether. She lives in Tesuque, NM with her four-legged companion Sage, and goes to bed at night thinking about pixels, grayscale, and the synchronous Photo Gods who point towards the next great photo opp.

The Artist’s Words: “My abstract images reflect an infatuation with inanimate objects long past their prime. Peeling paint, tattered cloth, and rust teach about transience and impart 3 realities: nothing lasts, is finished, or is perfect. I celebrate these teachings in photographs which embody the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection and the natural cycle of growth/decay). My photographs honor these teachers of transience whose classrooms are disguised as junkyards, abandoned ranches, and hoarders’ backyards – scattered about the Southwest where the sun works its magic. These abstractions originate from patinas on boxcars, 50-gallon barrels and other magical talismans of old.”

bEn roE Jr. Albuquerque, NM Ben Roe Jr. has lived and shown work in group shows in New Mexico, New Jersey and New York. Besides having a piece in the Harwood Art Center's 6th Annual 12x12 Fundraiser, he also had a piece in the 2012 New Mexico Showcase at 516 Arts in Albuquerque. Ben received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Indiana University, Bloomington.

The Artist’s Words: “I collect and appropriate images from popular culture and anonymous old photographs... snippets of text and phrases that catch my ear... along with the memories and the nostalgia and all the other detritus that I drag around with me... and I attempt to create a new narrative thru juxtaposition, thru the working of the surface, thru the layering of paint... to re-form the original intention of the image or the word into my own personal dialogue... and, hopefully, the viewer will enjoy coming along for the ride!”

MarIa roSS Albuquerque, NM Maria Ross graduated from Yale in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts in French. She went on to teach French in New York and later worked as a draftsperson in an architectural studio.

In 1990 she moved to New Mexico to pursue her art career. She received her Master of Fine Arts in painting from University of New Mexico and continues to explore different media in her interpretations of form and space.

The Artist’s Words: “From painting to drawing to weaving wire, my work has stepped off the wall and into space. What was once an emphasis on light has become a study of space and shadow. I draw from my background in painting and architecture to create organic structures. Though I work from an intuitive place, I am greatly influenced by what I see: shapes, cloud formations, trees, branches, buds, the moon, the night sky, cracks in the asphalt. These become figures as I walk, the windows, doors, walls, and metal dumpsters that move in rhythm.”

daVId SanTIago Albuquerque, NM David Santiago is a 23-year-old native of Albuquerque. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture.

David’s love of art was ignited during his tenure in college, when he was introduced to one of the basic components of his art, charcoal. With the discovery of charcoal, David has continued exploring his artwork with the addition of pastels, oils, acrylics, watercolor, and blush – all of which are portrayed on handmade wooden panels. David’s passion within the realm of female portraiture and the female figure has been inspired by Southwestern culture.

The Artist’s Words: “I've always been fascinated that body language suggests more emotion and feeling than verbal language. As a female portrait and female figure artist, I attempt to capture different emotions through subtle cues in facial features and body positioning. Charcoal has always been considered a traditional medium for rough figure drawing, which is why I find it much more challenging and enjoyable trying to keep the overall piece as crisp and clean as possible.”

JUSTIn yaZZIE Albuquerque, NM

Justin Yazzie is a 25 year old artist who was born and raised in Albuquerque. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture & Planning. Drawing has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember. He has always been encouraged to use his talents to the best of his ability by those close to him, and he hopes to awe and inspire those who see his work.

The Artist’s Words: “While beginning to establish myself as an artist I have been experimenting with new materials and methods. In this pursuit I am striving for different and better works. Taking inspiration from all over the place, I am working to create my niche.”

JESSIca ZEkUS Albuquerque, NM

Jessica Zekus was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Psychology from Alfred University in Alfred, New York in 2007 and a Master of Arts in Studio Art from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania the following year. In 2012, she completed a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. For two years she has also had the opportunity to teach an undergraduate, introductory ceramics studio course at Notre Dame. Jessica found her way back to the southwest and currently lives with her husband in Albuquerque.

The Artist’s Words: “My work acknowledges the inherent complexities of childhood and activates our own bittersweet memories of it. Not all childhood memories are filled with ‘lollipops and lullabies.’ Our memories have an amazing capacity to recall the moments in our lives when we were the most emotionally affected. Some of these moments we cherish, while others we would rather forget. Raw clay, like children, contains seeds of potential and, yet, both by nature are vulnerable. My work celebrates the fragility of clay and the coiling process. It is my goal to preserve this hand-crafted method as well as question our childhood memories.”

In TUrn students/interns/artists

self discovery through storytelling IN TURN is a special exhibition celebrating the commitment, talent and vision of Sarah Dewey, Haley English and Tina Yara-Nieto – current participants in the Harwood Art Center Internship Program. We are pleased to offer these young artists an opportunity to share their work with the world, especially in complement to our first annual SURFACE: Emerging Artists of New Mexico. It’s been our privilege to work with these three multitalented students/interns/artists. We look forward to continued collaborations and to observing the beautiful futures they each have ahead of them.

The Artists’ Words: “We are students at the University of New Mexico who connected through the internship program at the Harwood Art Center. Harwood has opened our eyes to the expansive Albuquerque art community. This exhibition is a way to further immerse ourselves in the wonderfully dynamic community we’ve all become a part of.

Our artistic journeys have taken us on paths to self discovery; we are exploring our identities and the objects, people, places within our lives. Through diverse media and narrative, we hope to convey who we are.”

SaraH DEwEy Albuquerque, NM Sarah Dewey grew up in the South Valley of Albuquerque and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico. She has been artistic throughout her life but for the past three years has focused primarily on printmaking. In her work she explores memories with the use of personal symbolic imagery. The technical aspect of printmaking is cathartic and creates an experience of emotional processing. The sensuality of printmaking is particularly important: the smells, the impression on the paper, the sound of a roller against a slab of ink, and so on. In a way, printmaking allows her to materialize intangible thoughts.

haLEy GrEEnFEaThEr EnGLiSh Albuquerque, NM Haley Greenfeather English was born and raised in the magical land of New Mexico. She teaches alongside her mentor Vashti Moss in Escuela Del Sol’s elementary art program. Haley’s biggest inspiration as an artist is her father.

He has always encouraged her to create art and reminds her that, “Art should reach out and grab you by the ass!” This philosophical insight has taught Haley to never stop being creative and to never take your art or life too seriously. Haley attended the Oxbow Art School in Napa, California for a semester and now attends the University of New Mexico. She plans to travel along the west coast in the fall. Her goal is to end up in Portland, Oregon and attend Pacific Northwest College of the Arts where she will study illustration.

Tina yara-nieTo Albuquerque, NM Tina Yara-Nieto was born in Downtown Albuquerque in 1991.

She is a student at UNM where she studies Psychology and Studio Art. One of Tina’s goals is to become an art therapist. Her interest stemmed from being diagnosed with a chronic illness that potentially threatened her eyesight at a young age. She promised herself that regardless of the outcome, she would never lose sight of her creativity. As part of UNM’s Arts-in-Medicine program, Tina is traveling to Cape Town, South Africa this July to conduct art workshops for terminally ill patients.

!

All rights reserved. All images belong to the artists and are included with their express consent. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Harwood Art Center 1114 Seventh St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 www.harwoodartcenter.org (505) 242-6367 ABOVE: Jessica Zekus, Swimmer