Jamie Berlant

Artist Statement

The methods and materials may change from piece to piece when I make my work, but they are congruent in their darkness, humor, and intent.

I have worked as an employee in many museums most of my working career ranging from Natural History museums to Art museums in Chicago, New York, and now Austin. The way they display objects to try to explain much larger concepts in simple terms is a direct reflection on our need to subjugate, identify, and catalog our world around us. I often use museum display methods as part of my work to try to simplify and catalog complex psychological, emotional, and intangible feelings. The source of my work is simple; love, death, family dynamics, and the power plays that develop from these multilayered social interactions. I capture the frailty of life and the body, but try to show it in a humorous light. Much as Magritte imparts with his painting, “This is not a pipe”; these sculptures are not realistic representations, but are images of intrinsic human psychology.

EDUCATION:

1997 The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
BFA in Sculpture, Chicago, IL

1993 Hermitage Group of Painters

Study Program in St Petersburg, Russia

1993 Idyllwild Arts Academy

Visual Arts, Idyllwild, California

EXHIBITIONS:

2010 Gallery Project Ann Arbor, MI

Politics of Fear

Group Exhibition

Gallery Project Ann Arbor, MI

Animal Farm

Group Exhibition

2008 Do Right Hall Marfa, TX

Semblance of Control
Solo Exhibition

A.I.R. Gallery New York, NY

Wish You Were Here, 2008
Group Exhibition

2005- FAO Schwarz New York, NY

2004 Artisan Workshop
Group Exhibition

2002 The Enchanted Forest in SOHO New York, NY

Thump. Wallop. Whack. Wham!- Shhhh

Monsters Invade SOHO’s Enchanted Forest
Solo Exhibition

1998 Evanston Arts Center Chicago, IL

14th Biennial Juried Exhibition
Group Exhibition

1997 Contemporary Art Workshop Chicago, IL

New Talent
Group Exhibition

White Tower Building Chicago, IL

Group Exhibition

1997- Todd Gallery Idyllwild, CA

1993 Solo Exhibition and Group Exhibitions

1993 Francine Ellman Gallery Los Angeles, CA
Group Exhibition

1992 Standard Brands Gallery San Diego, CA
Group Exhibition