Anne Mondro

STATEMENT

My creative work explores the physical and emotional complexity of the human body.  

Intrigued by the ways the human body is experienced and valued in society, I create sculptures and images that investigate and portray various aspects of humanity.

The images, Tailor and Adapt , focus on how one attempts to repair, alter, and transform their body.   In the images, crocheted steel wire structures become extensions of ambiguous anatomical forms.   Suggesting the ability of the body to grow with and incorporate the artificial structures, the images intimate the body’s capability for adapting and healing.

Intertwining scientific and religious concepts, the sculptural work titled Rumination and Faith depict the collision of these worlds.   During times of physical and emotional pain, individuals often seek various forms of healing from surgical procedures to spiritual journeys.   In these works, representations of the mind fabricated from felt and wax are displayed in portable cases.     Ambiguous in terms of purpose and time, the pieces allow the viewer to decide whether these represent scientific models or religious artifacts.

The Vulnerable Series , a series of large format digital prints, focuses on the complexity of human relationships.   To create the images, abstract human figures are posed in various gestures to convey emotions, intimacy, and vulnerability, and then photographed.   The human figures are life-size flexible sculptures hand-crocheted out of steel wire.   Crocheting (the process of using a hooked needle to pull loops from a continuous thread and working with one stitch at a time) enables the figures to interlace each other physically and metaphorically to express these aspects of humanity.   The color and texture of the steel wire adds to the work by portraying the figures as ethereal silhouettes, evoking associations with mortality and spirituality.

Anne Mondro
2104 Pauline Blvd. #306, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734.332.0636
ammondro@umich.edu

EDUCATION:

2002M.F.A. Kent State University, Kent, OH
1999B.F.A. College For Creative Studies, Detroit, MI

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

05 – PresentAssistant Professor, School of Art & Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2003 – 2005Roman J. Witt Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Art & Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

2008Vulnerable Series, ARC Gallery, Chicago, IL
 Introspectional, Talley Gallery, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
 Empatheia, Front Street Gallery, Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
2006Rumination, Mariani Gallery, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
2004Sarcinae de Corpus, The International Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago, IL
 Aortic Emporium, Illinois Central College, East Peoria, IL
2002Visceral Opulence, Mainstreet Gallery, Holland, MI
 Sarcinae de Corpus, Gallery 138, Kent, OH

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

200927th Annual Juried Exhibition, Pleiades Gallery, New York, NY
Vital (A)(R)(T): A curated exhibition by the National Network of Depression Centers, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA (First site of traveling show)
Bracken, Mondro, Brehm, Hochberg, Washington Art Association, Washington Depot, CT
Spatial Narratives, Scarab Club, Detroit, MI
RE/ACTION (S), Craft Alliance, St. Louis, MO
Being Mortal: Anne Mondro and Donovan Widmer, Haas Gallery of Art, Bloomsbury, PA
2008Emerging Forces, American Contemporary Gallery, Annapolis, MD
Convergence: The Human Experience, Howard County Center for the Arts, Ellicott City, MD
Myth of Difference, Gallery Project, Ann Arbor, MI
Signs, Symbols, Gestures, Gallery Project, Ann Arbor, MI
2007Why: Why we make creative work, from people who make it, Work Detroit Gallery, Detroit, MI
The Studio and the Lab, Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
Some Assembly Required, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL
SOFA New York 2007 exhibit by Mobilia Gallery, New York, NY
Raising Voices: Mental Illness Inside Out, Work Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI
2006Life Insight: The Human Experience, Kentucky Museum of Art & Craft, Louisville, KY
Functional: Work by Anne Mondro and Chris Whaley, Gallery 555, Detroit, MI
The Edges of Grace: Provocative, Uncommon Craft, Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA
SOFA Chicago 2006: Crocheted Wire Jewelry exhibit by Mobilia Gallery, Chicago, IL
Selected Works by Anne Mondro and Thomas Brewer, Seminole Community College, Sanford, FL
Melissa Gwyen, Anne Mondro, Anthony Pontius, Bryan Ritchy, Sam Houston State University of Art, Huntsville, TX
2005Body/Medicine, Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Souvenirs, Vu-Master Gallery, Portland, ME
Steven Friver, Anne Mondro, Ross Zirkel, Giles Gallery, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY
Keith Johnson and Anne Mondro: Photography and Silversmith Exhibition, Munson Williams Proctor Arts, Institute, Utica, NY
2004Blue: The History of Color, Mobilia Gallery, Cambridge, MA
SOFA Chicago 2004: Sculptural Jewelry exhibit by Mobilia Gallery, IL
2003Fabrication, Bruce Gallery, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA
SOFA Chicago 2003: The Teapot Redefined exhibit by Mobilia Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001Fold to Make, The Sculpture Gallery, Cleveland, OH, 2001
Color on Metal, OXOXO Gallery, Baltimore, MD, 2001

ARTIST RESIDENCIES:

2009Artspace Visual Arts Center, Sydney, Australia 2009
2006University of Michigan Health System Gifts of Art Program Artist in Residence, Ann Arbor, MI

GRANTS:

2008Rackham Faculty Research Grant, Rackham Graduate School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2007Office of the Vice President for Research Faculty Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Arts on Earth Project Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS:

2009Visiting Artist, MFA Graduate Program, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Visiting Artist, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA
2007Presenter, “Dragon of Wishes, Hopes, and Dreams: Creating Hospital Community Art”, Society for the Arts in Healthcare Conference, Nashville, TN
Presenter, “Art & Health”, Arts on Earth Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2006Presenter, “Creativity, Health, Community”, Symposium for Social Justice in Healthcare, William Monroe Trotter Multicultural Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Presenter, “Art & Medicine”, Health Sciences Scholar Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Workshop, “Color on Metal”, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
2005Presenter, “Body Adornment”, Fashion Imaging Department, Ming Dao University, ChangHua Taiwan
Visiting Artist, Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University, Grand Rapids, MI
Presenter, “Creativity & Research”, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
 Workshop, “Surface Embellishment Techniques”, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

EXHIBITION REVIEWS AND PUBLISHED ARTWORK:

Anstett, Patricia. “Hospitals add art to lift spirits,” Detroit Free Press, Feb.17, 2008, p. A1 & A10.
Boyce, David B. “The Edges of Grace showcases provocative craft at Fuller Museum,” South Coast Today, March 16, 2006, p. A14.
Fisch, Arline. Crocheted Wire Jewelry: Innovative Designs & Projects By Leading Artists. New York: Lark Books, 2006, 11,61-63, 114,117.
Fisch, Arline. Textile Techniques in Metal: For Jewelers, Sculptors, and Textile Artists. New York: Lark Books, 1996,106.
Kimelman, Molly. “UICA Hosts Trio of Shows,” The Grand Rapids Press, June 29, 2008, p.F4.
Klein, Andrew Sargus. “Art, Meet Science,” The Michigan Daily, September 10, 2007, p.5A.
McCreight, Tim and Nicole Bsullak. Color on Metal. Madison: Guild Pub, 2001, 68-69.
Pantaleo, Brent. “Art as Part of the Healing Process,” The Michigan Daily, November 7, 2007.
Valline, Alexandria. “UNC Shows Depression Can Be A Form of Art,” University of Northern Colorado, The Mirror, September 11, 2006.
Williams, Chase. “Charcoal, Oil, Sculpture pieces on Display,” Sam Houston State University The Houstonian, October 27, 2005, p.1.