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Shelby Donnelly

Artist Statement

Concepts:
Historically monuments are erected to memorialize an achievement, and ceremonies are used in culture to recognize a significant event. Through staging monuments with props-like objects and stunted characters, I illustrate hierarchical relationships. These relationships are situated into narratives where success and failure intermingle and ultimately balance on the same vulnerable thread. The staged monuments commemorate the struggle for success. Ceremonial remnants assemble to celebrate a potential event or a moment past. Creating objects and characters that reference theatre props address sentiments of impermanence and value. In addition, implementing stunts and stunted anatomy addresses the illusion of strength and reveals the fragility of the object.

Materials:

Chosen for their visual and tactile nature, I pull materials from my environment where I live, work, and consume. The materials have an inherent class and value that bring meaning and associations to my work ultimately informing the narrative. Often my opportunities to use found materials or bought materials are limited to my personal struggle to exist and navigate my reality.

Process:

Each piece has a relationship to temporality, showing evidence of its past with premonitions of its fate. I show this life by leaving evidence of the process, always leaving a residue of its past formation. I can compare my work to layers of peeling paint on a weathered wall, through time and experience, the past gets revealed. Through my background in printmaking, the edition, or variations, remain important to investigating the symbolism of an image.

Historically in line with artists
Claus Oldenburg and Christo


Curriculum Vitae


EDUCATION

2006-2008
MFA Fibers, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia PA

SU 2007 Rome Art and Culture Seminar, Temple University

1999-2002
BFA Printmaking and Drawing, Washington University, St. Louis Missouri

SU 2000, 2001
Frogmans Print Workshop, University of South Dakota

1998-1999
Årt and Dance Major, Barat College, Lake Forest, Illinois


EXHIBITIONS

2008
Every Artist is a Person, Flux Gallery, Phildelphia, PA

2006
Pilsen Art Walk, Junior Town Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

2007
Drawing Show, Junior Town Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

April Love, The Birdhouse Museum, Chicago, Illinois

2005
The Cardboard Show, Salhouse Studios , Chicago, Illinois

2004
Varieties of Cool, Art Scene Loft, Rockford, Illinois

Screw City, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, Illinois

Employee Show, Chicago Art Source. Chicago, Illinois

2004
Midwestern Exhibition, Curated by James Rondoe, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, Illinois

Small Victories, Modest Contemporary Art Projects. Chicago, Illinois

2003 Beyond Gen-X, Medicine Man Gallery, Rockford, Illinois

Chix With Labor Ammunition,two person exhbition, 6 hr space, Chicago, Illinois

The Drawing Show, Unit B Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

Slop Art, Magazine exhibiting international artists

2002
TOUG, Fort Gondo Compound, St. Louis, Missouri

B.F.A Show, Washington University Steinberg Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri

Puli2er, Fort Gondo Compound, St. Louis, Missouri

3 Bdr, 1 Ba, Fully Furnished, Greenway Apartment Residency, St. Louis, Missouri

2001
Springs and Souvenirs, solo exhibition, The Artery, Rockford, Illinois


HONORS AND AWARDS

2007
Temple University Rome Fellowhip for the Art and Culture Program

2004
Honorable Mention, 2004 Midwestern Exhibition, Rockford Art Museum

2002
Yvette and John Dubinski Printmaking Award, Washington University in St. Louis

2001
Frogman’s Press Grant, Washington University in St. Louis

2000
Fine Arts Award, Washington University in St. Louis


LECTURES

2004
Slide Lecture, Rockford Art Museum

2004
Panel discussion on Screw City, Rockford Art Museum