ARTIST STATEMENT
My work focuses on issues of girlhood and the complexity of femininity in contemporary America. These specific drawings reconstruct memories and rituals from my personal experience of growing up in the early 2000’s. By mashing together the messiness and magic of my own girlhood, I create imaginary spaces that envision girls and women engaging in collective wishful thinking as a means of release from the patriarchal confines in which they exist. The imagery contemplates femme labor, gender performativity, and most importantly, explores the potential of magic as an alternative way of exercising autonomy over oneself and one’s life.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I was born in Cary, Illinois, and completed my BFA in Art Education with a minor in Art History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2023, I received my MFA in Studio Art (Painting and Drawing) from the University of Florida along with my Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Currently, I am the Artist-in-Residence at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay for the 2023-24 academic year. Recent exhibitions include “Unbounded: A Solo Exhibition by Natalie Novak” at The Art Garage in Green Bay, WI, “Cute Aggression” at Good Year Arts in Charlotte, NC, and “Fleeting Imaginaries” at the Gary R. Libby University Gallery in Gainesville, FL. Other past exhibitions include “Between You and I” at Piano Craft Gallery in Boston, MA and “Word of Mouth” at Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, IL. I am a recipient of the Graduate Teaching Assistantship at the University of Florida, Grinter Fellowship, Windgate University Fellowship, and Graduate Student Research Travel Award. Recent publications include fsm. Arts Journal (Volume 4 Issue 2), The Huts Magazine (Issue 3), and Third Iris (Issue 2).
© Natalie Novak