Essential Biography
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA) (b. 26.05.1987) and currently live and work in Florence, Italy. After receiving my BFA from the University of New Mexico in 2009 and MFA at the California College of the Arts in 2011, I was awarded a Fulbright Grant to Italy. I have participated in numerous residencies, including Hangar.org (SP) (2018), Bridge Art Residency (IT) (2020), Vis à Vis Fuoriluogo 23 (IT) (2020), Castagno di Piteccio- Borgo Museo di Pistoia (IT) (2021), La Portineria (curated by Matteo Innocenti and Giulia Spissu) (IT) (2021), and most recently Ritorno alla Normalità, (curated by Cartavetra gallery, IT) (2022) and UNIDEE, Sustaining Embedded Art Practice (curated by Andy Abbott, IT) (2022). Selected solo exhibitions I have participated in include Cascade (curated by Leonardo Moretti for ARTeFUORI) at Cartavetra (IT) (2017), Plasticaia, Villa Romana (IT) (2018), Ferro Bacchiato (curated by Matteo Innocenti), at Piazza Vittoria, Castelbottaccio, IT (2020) and most recently Viscosità Spagiriche (curated by Claudia Ponzi) (2022), Finestreria, Milan, IT and MILK CAKE #01 (Il Rinascimento sospeso cremisinamente) (curated by Latte Project Space and Fatti d’arte), Latte Project Space (IT) (2022). My selected group shows include Ecosistemi, Fondazione Biagiotti Progetto Arte (curated by Silvia Bellotti and Carlotta Mazzoli) (IT) (2016), The Recovery Plan, Fondazione Biagiotti Progetto Arte (curated by Black History Month Firenze) (2019), Per quanto tempo e’ per sempre, (curated by Leonardo Moretti and Spela Zidar) Celle Frigo (IT) (2020) and most recently the Aesthetica Art Prize 2022 Exhibition, York Art Gallery (ENG) (2022), Tavolata in Giardino (Curated by Rossella Tesi), Villa Schneiderf (IT) (2022), 100×100 Esposizione Libri d’artista (Curated by Alessandra Scappini and Spela Zidar), Sincresis, and Museo Marino Marini, (IT) (2022), and Connection (curated by Pietro Desiro and Claudia di Francesco), Galleria Cartavetra, (IT) (2023). I have participated in many two-artists shows including: Trame Plastiche—Bridge (collaboration with Leonardo Moretti) Vicoli d’Arte (curated by Elisabetta Rizzuto) (IT) (2020) and Interpretation of a Seed (collaboration with Maria Nissan) (curated by Daria Filardo at Murate Art District (IT) (2018). When I am not making my artwork, I am teaching art at Florence Institute of Design International, University of Chester, and M.U.S.E.
EDUCATION
California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA
2011 MFA in Fine Arts, Interdisciplinary with an emphasis in Sculpture and Installation
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
2009 BFA in Studio Art, Sculpture and Ceramics Suma cum laude, Honors in Art Studio Suma cum laude, GPA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 Viscosità Spagiriche (Curated by Claudia Ponzi), Finestreria, Milan, IT
MILK CAKE #01 (Il Rinascimento sospeso cremisinamente) (Curated by Latte Project Space and Fatti d’arte), Latte Project
Space, Faenza, IT
2020 Ferro Bacchiato (Curated by Matteo Innocenti), Piazza Vittoria, Castelbottaccio, IT
Anthropomorphic Cosmesis (Curated by Claudia Ponzi and Adriana Amoruso), Finestreria, Milan, IT
2019 O Sol Nos Tempos, Quinta da Cerca, Messejana, PT Merletto Architettonico (Curated by Carlotta Mazzoli), Giardino di via Curtatone, Prato, IT
Have Even Oranges Been Navel-Gazing All Along? (Curated by Valeria D’Ambrosio), Penta Space, Florence, IT
2018 Cascade (Curated Leonardo Moretti), Cartavetra Gallery, Florence, IT
Plasticaia, Villa Romana, Florence, IT
2017 Afterimage, Srisa Project Space, Florence, IT
2016 Lakkos (Curated by Mathew Halpin), Lakkos Neighborhood, Crete, Greece 2015 Miradouro das Caixas de Madeira (Curated by João Fiadeiro), Irreal Gallery, Lisbon, PT 2013 Of Limes and Camouflage (Curated by Lucia Giardino), F.AIR, Florence, IT 2011-
2012 Collect, Skin, Dry, Stitch, Repeat, Make Hang Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
2009 Piel, [AC]2 Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, USA
SELECTED DUO EXHIBITIONS
2021 Studio Visit of Not Not a Zygote: Meiotic Litotes of Domestic Quiddity (Collaboration with writer Connor Maley and curated by Matteo Innocenti)), La Portineria, Florence, IT
2020 Teatro Invisibile dell’ospitalita (with Emanuela Barilozzi Caruso) (Curated by Lori Adragna for Bridge Art Residency), Ex Chiesa Santa Caterina, Noto, IT
Trame Plastiche, Oltre la superficie (Collaboration with Leonardo Moretti) (Curated by Elisabetta Rizzuto), Vicoli d’Atre Prato, IT Presentation of Art Book by Victoria DeBlassie for Connor Maley’s novella Fiori, fantasmi, e piccioli che vedono più di quel che si pensasse e persino più di quel che si pensassero loro, i fiori e i fantasmi e i piccioli che vedono tutto incluso il non visibile. (Curated by Matteo Innocenti for Vis a Vis Fuoriluogo 23), Piazza Vittoria, Castelbottaccio, IT
Cenacoli Ombrellìferi (Collaboration with writer Connor Maley) (Curated by Chille de la Balanza), Villa Panico (Chille dela Balanza), Florence, IT
2019 Trame Plastiche, Oltre la superficie (Collaboration with Leonardo Moretti) (Curated by Mattia Lapperier), SRISA Project Space,
Florence, IT
2018 Interpretation of a Seed (Collaboration with Maria Nissan) (Curated by Daria Filardo), Murate Art District, Florence, IT
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Connection, (collaboration with writer Connor Maley and curated by Cartavetra gallery), Cartavetra, Florence, IT
2022 It’s Never Too Late, (curated by Angelika Stepken and the Villa Romana team), Villa Romana, Florence, IT
Aesthetica Art Prize 2022 Exhibition, York Art Gallery, York, ENG
Tavolata in Giardino (Curated by Rossella Tesi), Villa Schneiderf, Florence, IT WhatsArt II (Curated by Niccolò Manno), Fondente Arte, Florence, IT
100×100 Esposizione Libri d’artista (Curated by Alessandra Scappini and Spela Zidar), Sincresis, Empoli, IT
100×100 Esposizione Libri d’artista (Curated by Alessandra Scappini and Spela Zidar), Museo Marino Marini, Florence, IT
2021 Castagno di Piteccio Oltre i muri (collaboration with Connor Maley and curated by Ilenia Vecchio and Elena Wagner), Castagno di Piteccio, Pistoia, IT
10 Anni Factory Athena (Curated by Simona Dipasquale), Limonaia of Palazzo Strozzi, Firenze, IT
2020 Per quanto tempo e’ per sempre (Curated by Leonardo Moretti and Spela Zidar), Celle Frigo, Prato, IT
Sfrangi Pani, Sfrangi Panni (Curated by Matteo Innocenti), Piazza Vittoria, Castelbottaccio, IT
Teatro Invisibile dell’ospitalita (Curated by Lori Adragna), Ex Chiesa Santa Caterina, Noto, IT
2019 The Recovery Plan (Curated by Justin Randolf Thompson and Black History Month Firenze), Fondazione Biagiotti Progetto Arte, Florence, IT
2018 Visioni (Curated by Leonardo Moretti and Lara Bardazzi), Officina Giovani, Prato, IT
Mostra Per I Vincitore del Secondo Premio Factory Athena (Curated by Simona Dipasquale), Limonaia at Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, IT Il Filo degli Altri (Curated by Lorenzo Pezzatini)), SACI Gallery, Florence, IT
2017 Apulia Land Art Festival Show (artist collaborated with writer Connor Maley) (Curated by Helia Hamedani), Salina, Margherita di Savoia, IT Secondo Premio Per Le Arti Contemporanee: Facotry Athena (Curated by Simona Dipasquale e Marco Dainelli), Ippodromo, Firenze, IT
2016 Ecosistemi (Curated by Silvia Bellotti e Carlotta Mazzoli), Fondazione Biagiotti Progetto Arte, Florence, IT
Oltre il Giardino (Curated by Erica Romano), Giardino di Buoniamici, Prato, IT
Mappings, Numeroventi, Firenze, IT
Giardini (Curated by Silvia Fossati), Pontremoli in Art, Pontremoli, IT
2015 European Art Festival (Curated by DAY ONE), Multiverso, Florence, IT Under Pressure (Curated by Filippo Bigagli), Ex Chiesa di San Giovanni, Prato, IT
2014 Contemporary Visions (Curated by DAY ONE), La Galleria Mantero, Portovenere, IT
Linoleum, De Liceiras 18, Oporto, PT
Premio Per Le Arti Contemporanee: Factory Athena (Curated by Simona Dipasquale e Viola Andrea Duse Masin), Ippodromo, Florence, IT
Tracce (Curated by Alessandra Barberini), Museo Polveriera Guzman, Orbetello, IT Contemporary Visions (Curated by DAY ONE), Multiverso, Florence, IT
2013 Mostra Internazionale dell’Artigianato 2013, Fortezza da Basso, Florence, IT
F.LIGHT, Florence University of the Arts, Florence, IT
Borders (Curated by Trevor Amery e Linnea West), Staycation Museum, Berlin, DE
Taste (Curated by Victoria Heilweil), Root Division, San Francisco, CA, USA 2012 Wanderings, Gallery La Muse, Labastide Esparbairenque, FR
Foraging, Gallery 454, San Francisco, CA, USA
Surface Design, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael, CA, USA
2011 CCA MFA Thesis Exhibition (Curated by Glen Helfand), California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA Craft Forward Conference Exhibition (Curated by Deborah Valoma), California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA Manufactured Organic (Curated by Ryan Jones, Marisa McCarthy, Kate Stirr), Root Division, San Francisco, CA, USA
Oroborous (Curated by Nick Johnson e Toyin Ojih Odutola), The Writer’s Studio, San Francisco, CA, USA
2010 Italy: Contemporary Art and Culture (Curated by Mariella Poli), North and South Gallery, Oakland, CA,USA
12 Point Perspective (Curated by Mariella Poli), Diocesan Museum, Pienza, IT
Symbolic Flow (Curated by Hui-Ying Tsai), Sub Mission Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA 2008/10 Judicial Notice III, Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, Albuquerque, NM, USA 2009 Presence through Form (Curated by Robert Melon), Performance at the de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA, USA
Spectrum Art Show, Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA, USA
2008 Through Feminist Eyes, Juried by Judy Chicago and Meinrad Craighead at the Masley Art Gallery,
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Precious, John Summers Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Mariposa Presents Ceramics, Mariposa Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Proximity, John Summers Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Tin Can and Banana Art, VSA North Forth Art Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Spring Training (Curated by Sheri Crider), SCA Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, NM, USA
RESIDENCIES
2023 Premio Thomas Wood art residency at Il Bisonte, (Curated by Silvia Bellottii), Florence, Italy
Residenza artistica nelle scuole, (Scuola Media Puccini), (Curated by Valentina Gensini of Murate Art District), Florence, Italy
2022 Residenza artistica nelle scuole (Scuola Media Gramsci), (Curated by Valentina Gensini of Murate Art District), Florence, Italy
Ritorno alla Normalità, (Curated by Cartavetra gallery), Baragazza, Italy
UNIDEE, Sustaining Embedded Art Practice (Curated by Andy Abbott), Biella, Italy
2021 La Portineria, Florence, Italy
Castagno di Piteccio- Borgo Museo di Pistoia, Castagno di Piteccio, Italy
2020 Vis à Vis Fuoriluogo 23, Castelbottaccio, Italy
Spacciamo Culture, Chille de la Balanza, Florence, Italy
Bridge Art Residency, Noto, IT 2019 Buinho Creative Hub, Messejana, PT 2018 Hangar.org, Barcelona, SP 2017 Apulia Land Art Festival and Residency, Margherita di Savoia, IT
2016 Lakkos AIR, Heraklion, Crete, GR Numeroventi Micro Residency, Florence, IT
2015 Atelier Real, Lisbon, PT
2014 DE LICEIRAS 18, Oporto, PT
2013 F.AIR Florence Artist in Residence, Florence, IT
2012 La Muse, Labastide Esparbairenque, FR 2011- Make Hang Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
2012
HONORS AND AWARDS
2022 Longlist awardee of the 2022 Aesthetica Art Prize
2019 Spacciamo Culture Grant, Chille de la Balanza, Florence, Italy
2017 ART e FUORI Prize from Galleria Cartavetra, Florence, Italy
Third Prize for the Second Edition for Contemporary Art by Factory Athena, Italy
2013 Fulbright Travel Grant to Berlin Seminar, Germany and Italy 2012- Fulbright Study and Research Grant Scholar, Italy
2013 2011 Alternate, Fulbright Study and Research Grant, Italy 2008- McRae Outstanding Student Senior Award
2009 Charis Ann Mckelvy Memorial Scholarship The Charles Mattox Scholarship
2008 Ronald E. McNair Summer Research Fellowship
Research Opportunity Program Scholar of the Year 2007 Research Opportunity Program Summer Research Fellowship
PROFESSIONAL AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2021-present Museum Educator, MUS.E, Florence, IT
2019-present Professor of Analytical Drawing, Florence Institute of Design International and The University of Chester, Florence, IT
Substitute Professor of Art, SRISA University, Florence, IT
2020 Teacher for special project: Fending by Mending is better than Ending, Villa Romana, Florence, IT
2014-present Student Mentor, Ontario College of Art and Design, Florence, IT
2018 Professor of Art and Art History, Kindergarten Middle School, Florence, IT
2013 Guest Critic, Siena Arts Institute, Siena, IT
Ceramics Professor, Florence University of the Arts, Florence, IT
2012- 2013 Fulbright Scholar, William J. Fulbright, Florence, IT
2011-2012 Gallery Assistant, Make Hang Gallery, San Francisco, CA, USA
Museum Preparator, Dolby Laboratories, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA
Artist’s Assistance, Gyongy Laky, San Francisco, CA, USA
2010-2011 Honors Program Teacher, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, USA
Panelist for First Year Reviews California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, USA
2010 Panelist for Portfolio Review Day, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, USA
Gallery Preparator California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA
Teaching Assistant for Intro to Textiles, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, USA
Teaching Assistant for 3-D Design, California College of the Arts, Oakland, CA, USA
2009-2010 Alternative Materials Lab Monitor, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA, USA
2007-2009 President, University of New Mexico Ceramics Club, Albuquerque, NM, USA
2007-2008 Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Program, Albuquerque, NM, USA
2006-2007 Scholar, Research Opportunity Program, Albuquerque, NM, USA