ARTIST STATEMENT
With so many critical issues of concern facing humanity the ability to find a means of coping with the bombardment of world events through artistic expression is a healing balm indeed. The Dadaists’ responses to their own historical era unleashed a movement and protest that altered the trajectory of modern art and produced a “fountain” of creative works. Although my artwork mostly uses traditional techniques and materials, it is how the imagery is used that I hope challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface impressions. Through the use of symbolic images and compositions I try to communicate a narrative that stems from personal experiences and concerns to conscious and subconscious urgings.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
As the daughter of two artistic parents, Erin McNamara’s exposure to the fine arts began at an early age. She was born in Detroit, Michigan and moved to West Virginia at the age of 8 when her father began teaching at a small liberal arts college. Deciding to pursue a career in the arts she attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, her parents’ alma mater. After receiving her BFA, Erin was awarded with a Fellowship to study at the School of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland. Upon returning to the United States through a series of serendipitous events and her knowledge of ceramic sculptural arts she began working as a journeywoman for the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union in the field of historic architectural restoration. She specialized in recreating the sculptural elements on terracotta buildings that had been damaged or destroyed. Eventually Erin became an instructor at her Union training center passing on her experience and skills to apprentices and journeyworkers.
During these years Erin continued her fine art practice utilizing various mediums and forms of expression, many of which were influenced by her architectural restoration career. Her interest in the natural world led her to complete a Certification in Botanical Art from the Morton Arboretum which sharpened her observational skills and increased her concern for planet’s environmental sustainability. Erin has exhibited locally and nationally and continues to pursue her unique visual expressions as the muses’ allow.
© Erin McNamara