ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores my identity and mental health journey through artistic mediums traditionally associated with femininity and domestic craft. I utilize hand-embroidery techniques I learned from my grandmother in childhood to add text in my work that conveys personal feelings about myself and my life experiences. Often working as a double interpretation, these words reflect my complex feelings about myself and my relationships. By utilizing what are otherwise joyful combinations of color, print and texture, I create hand-stitched textile works permeated with a covert and often humorous commentary of self-identity and understanding.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Anna McKeown is a fiber artist and curator living in Nashville, TN. Anna grew up in Southern Illinois and was raised by a big family with a love for gardening, antiques, and domestic crafts. In her work she explores her mental health journey and personal relationships using hand-embroidery and quilting techniques.
Anna is the Gallery Director for the educational Marnie Sheridan Gallery at Harpeth Hall School. Here, Anna brings a strong focus to artwork created by contemporary women and non-binary artists, and artists exploring fiber art mediums. Anna is represented by Roaring Artist Gallery and has shown her work with Art Mums United, Southside Gallery in Oxford, MS, and the Yeiser Art Center in Paducah, KY. She has been featured in Candy Floss Magazine, completed a residency with Stay Home Gallery Residency in Paris, TN, and curated a virtual exhibition for Stay Home Gallery during the summer of 2021. Anna has a passion for comedy and every once in a while she’ll try to be funny at an open mic. She lives in East Nashville with her husband, her son, their giant dog, and very soon a baby girl.
© Anna McKeown