Ellen Mueller

Upshur County

Drawing

M.F.A. Studio Art (University of South Florida); B.A. Theatre and Art and B.S. Design Technology (Bemidji State University)

Website

I focus on a chaotic world of non-stop technological revolution, impending global climate change, and hyperactive news media. Recurrent visual themes include corporate management structures, cult dynamics, and Sisyphean tasks. I use humor and absurdist visual and performative situations as a method for dealing with these challenging topics in an indirect way, often resulting in works that have an element of escapism. My work takes many forms including performance, drawing, 3D printing, video, and installation.

Biography

I have exhibited nationally and internationally as an interdisciplinary artist exploring issues related to the environment, hyperactive news media and corporate management systems. I create experiences that engage with social and political issues through a variety of media including, but not limited to, performance, drawing, 3D printing, video, and installation.

Recent exhibitions include Americana at The Soap Factory in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Arrest Me at Punch Gallery in Seattle, Washington. Artist residencies include Vermont Studio Center, Ucross Foundation, Santa Fe Art Institute, Nes Artist Residency in Skagaströnd, Iceland, Virginia Center for Creative Art, where I was a Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Creative Fellow, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Ox-Bow, Coast Time (May 2016), and Signal Culture (August 2016).

I was raised in Fargo, North Dakota and currently live and work in Buckhannon, West Virginia as an Assistant Professor of Art at West Virginia Wesleyan College. I have published a foundational art textbook with Oxford University Press entitled “Elements and Principles of 4D Art and Design” (February 2016).