Alysia Klein
Artist Statement
What is the function of art and how does it respond with viewers in todays’ fast paced society? Something that is meant to be a visual stimulant has also somehow been added the extra burden of artist statements, titles, materials, previous work and honors in the art world…it’s endless. All this has, to some extent, deadened the art experience. The politics of aesthetics has also killed many impressions of what we perceive as “good” and “bad” art. These are issues that need exploring.
Growing up in an extremely lower-class family, I have either personally experienced or witnessed the absurd amount of struggles the underprivileged have in America. I try to seriously internalize these problems so I can transfer these feelings into my artwork. I want to talk about issues such as poverty and the oppression of the people by the government be in it a subtle or direct way. The main narrative in my work is struggle. The battles we face on a small scale everyday up to actual battles that have taken place over the course of history. To me, strife shows the true duality of man.
CV
Education
2017 MFA in Painting (pending Spring 19’), Kent State University,
Kent, OH
2017 BFA in 2D Studio with Art History Minor (Painting and
Drawing emphasis) Summa Cum Laude, Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL
2015 AA, Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL
2006 Charleston High School (Diploma), Charleston, IL
Professional Experience
2017- Gallery Assistant, Alida Anderson Art Projects, Context Art Miami
2017- Graduate Teaching Assistant, Drawing I, Kent State University,
Kent, OH
Professional Organizations
2017- Member, May 4th Task Force, Kent State University, Kent,
OH
2016-2017 President, Eastern Illinois University Art Association,
Charleston, IL
2014-2015 Vice President, Lake Land College Art Club, Mattoon, IL
Exhibitions
2017 Portage Park District Art Show, Kent State University School of
Art Downtown Gallery, Kent, Oh
2017 Canton Art District All-Starts, The Canton Museum of Art,
Canton, OH
2017 Solo Show, I Survived the Post-Apocalypse and All I Got Was This
Art Show, 1910 Gallery, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
2017 Undergraduate All-Student Show, The Tarble Arts Center,
Charleston, IL
2017 Salon des Refuses, 1910 Gallery, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2016 Figure it Out, 2140 Gallery, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston,
IL
2016 No Pretense, 1910 Gallery, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston,
IL
2016 Fall into Art, Klemt Hall Gallery, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2016 Two-Person Exhibition, Art is Kinda Sorta Dead, 1910 Gallery,
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
2016 Artoberfest, Catherine’s Gallery, Sullivan, IL
2016 Making Illinois, Tarble Arts Center, Charleston, IL
2016 Habitat for Humanity Community Art Show, 1910 Gallery,
Charleston, IL
2016 Salon des Refuses, 1910 Gallery, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2016 Undergraduate Student Show, The Tarble Arts Center,
Charleston, IL
2015 Fall into Art, Klemt Hall Gallery, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2015 Artoberfest, Catherine’s Gallery, Sullivan, IL
Awards
2017 Outstanding Senior 2D Award, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2017 Melinda Hegarty Award in Art History, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2017 1st Place 3-D, Salon des Refuses, 1910 Gallery, Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL
2016 Honorable Mention, Undergraduate Student Show, Tarble
Arts Center, Charleston, IL
2016 Honorable Mention, Habitat for Humanity Community Art
Show, Charleston, IL
2016 Honorable Mention, Artoberfest, Sullivan, IL
Grants
2017 Ruth Boyd Cook Scholarship for Painters, Eastern Illinois
University, Charleston, IL
2016 Grant Proposal Award, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
2016 Ruth Boyd Cook Scholarship for Painters, Eastern
Illinois University, Charleston, IL
2016 Talented Student Award, Eastern Illinois University,
Charleston, IL
Bibliography In Print:
2017 Olivia Swenson-Hultz, “Art Aftermath,” The Daily Eastern News,
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL, Vol. 101/No. 137
2016 Chrissy Miller, “Anonymous Art Show to make No Pretense,” The
Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL,
November 16, 2016.
2016 Kalyn Hayslett, “Art Show to Prove Art is Not Only for Elites,”
The Daily Eastern News, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston,
IL, September 21, 2016.
2016 Brooke Szwedka, Interview and Photos of Artwork, Blue Room
Magazine, Charleston, IL, Spring Issue of 2016.
Events 2017 Research and Creativity Conference, Eastern Illinois University.
Charleston, IL
2016 Musefest, Art Festival for Charleston, Illinois Transitional Facility
2016 Pantherpalooza, Eastern Illinois University Registered Student
Organizations Event