ARTIST STATEMENT
Grounded in my love of words as both meaning and art, I am hard-wired to see the many ways that humans use words. With endless amazement, and often amusement, I find juxtapositions and contradictions especially art worthy.
Sometimes I find them readymade with my camera, sometimes I hear or read them and then re-combine them into mixed media artwork. Other times I collect them, organize them and letterpress print them to become a poster, a print or a book.
At a glance, words can claim to simply be how we communicate; but we all know better. Humans combine letters into words into sentences into stories into meaning. I collect these words and sentences and reorganize them in different forms, then I present the viewer with a challenge: to make a little effort, to find the new story that lives within the letters and words.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Art school taught me about graphic design, while editing a fanzine in the 80’s taught me about making it work. Teaching taught me more than I can tell you and made me better at art in ways I never could have imagined. Making art through college degrees and in workshops helped me develop skills and preferences, while an adult lifetime of making, thinking, failing and growing made me understand what I was drawn to make. Entering shows made me define myself and talk about my work. I live and work in Chicago; my biography continues today.
Degrees from University of Illinois 1987, 1991.
University of Illinois Educators Micro-residency in printmaking 2016, 2018
Anderson Ranch, Alternative photo and woods workshops.
Acceptance into local and regional shows, occasional small awards over the last 30 years.
Juror at regional art museum 2010
Solo show at Acorn Theater 2025
© Debbie Novak