Mary Ann Papanek-Miller

May 4 - June 25, 2023

Artist Statement

I create two-dimensional drawings and drawing based mixed media art works that are informed by our human relationships with the land, waters, plants, and animals. I utilize graphite, natural materials, collage, and water based paints on a variety of different sizes and surfaces which includes wood, cloth, metal, and translucent papers. The imagery in my art works is influenced by mythology and it is intended to be in visual conversation with each other, and with the viewer. I am especially interested in sequential thinking and the idea of listening, which my images are intended to do. I often draw from open source or approved objects that I collect, whose personas are seasoned with humor and worry. Objects are important story tellers in my work, and they additionally function as social barometers, cultural souvenirs, and time stamps that reflect on aspects of the human condition. I am captivated by the auditory spatial shifts of ambient sounds and by the act of reading books which is an important component of my artistic practice. Current series of my works include Preparing for Winter which is in dialogue with the animals in George Orwell’s book Animal Farm (subtitles of these works are direct quotes from Orwell’s writing, which are in acknowledgement of Animal Farm’s cautionary story regarding the dangers of political innocence) and Free Water Project which questions water access, use, and ownership. My Looking For Alice series is completed and it was informed by the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll this series confronted loss and trust.

Artist Bio:

M.A. Papanek-Miller creates layered mixed media and drawing related works that are informed by our human relationships with animals, plants, water access and use which are seasoned with a bit of humor and worry. She explores quiet color on a variety of different sizes and surfaces and the images in her works are often drawn from collected childhood and related objects which contain their own individual stories. She was awarded an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, received an Individual Artist Grant from the Seattle Arts Commission, and exhibits with Jean Albano Gallery in Chicago. She has an MFA in Art from the University of Houston, TX. and she is an Art (drawing) Professor and the Director of The Art School at DePaul University. She served in similar positions at The University of Montana, Bemidji State University, MN, and at Cornish College of the Arts, WA. He home base is the Northwoods Lake Country of Northern Minnesota.