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MStanley artist statement

I believe that art should be interactive. Direct human contact between the participant and the artwork allows for a deeper connection to form, encouraging a feeling of community. I integrate playful incongruity in many of my pieces in order to promote humor, making it more accessible. While my primary research is in Kinetic Sculpture, I use furniture design as a vehicle for human interaction. This interface facilitates experimentation with structure, aesthetics, and the response to design in people’s daily lives. Much of my inspiration comes from the unfortunate events of Hurricane Katrina. I use these personal memories to influence my artwork in a more idealistic and positive direction: we can do more good working together than we can individually. The aesthetics of my work come directly from industrial memories of my childhood and travels: areas where the natural world and urban development meet, such as a bridge crossing the muddy waters of the Missouri River or the unseen beauty of overgrown abandoned brick warehouses. The combination of human innovation with the unrelenting forces of nature has always captivated me, and I often incorporate that look of strength amidst decay in my artwork. Because I often incorporate found material in my work, there is usually some level of uncertainty about how the finished piece will look. Although it can become frustrating, I find comfort in this lack of certainty because it allows me to become impulsive and make changes to the design as I see fit. This artistic freedom, as well as the integration of ethical materials into my artwork, creates a deep sense of gratification and is what keeps me making art.
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MStanley resume

Education: 2008 Masters of Fine ArtIowa State University Integrated Visual ArtsEmphasis in Metal and Wood 2003 Bachelors of Fine Art University of South DakotaSculptureMinor in PrintmakingEmployment: 2010 - 2012 OwnerCarbon 6 Studio LLC. 114 Kellogg Ave, Ames, IA Artist Studio and Gallery2008 - 2012 LecturerIowa State UniversityCollege of DesignIntegrated Studio ArtsAmes, IA Selected Exhibitions:2012 Small Wonders Maryland Federation of Art Circle Gallery Annapolis, MD2011 ISU Faculty ExhibitionMacNider Art Museum Mason City, IA2010 The Art of Applied DesignDHM Digital Gallery Stillwater, OK A Sense of Place 2010Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art Augusta, GA Eye of the Beholder: The Art of the Found ObjectMaryland Federation of ArtCircle Gallery Annapolis, MD RelationshipsBrunnier Museum Ames, IA Studio Visit Magazine Boston, MA2009 Studies in CreativityFaculty ExhibitOctagon Center for the Arts Ames, IA RedThe Illinois Institute of Art Chicago, IL A Riveting ExperienceThe Second Iowa Metal Guild ExhibitionFigge Museum Davenport, IA Neoteric AbstractLimner Gallery Hudson, NY Juried March Exhibition www.project30.com ISU Juried Alumni ExhibitionGallery 181 Ames, IA 2008 Katrina’s CrescendoGallery 181 Ames, IA 2007 Sculptural Objects and Functional Art Exposition (SOFA)Navy Pier Chicago, IL2004 Art for the Soul Gallery New Orleans, LA Glassworks Gallery New Orleans, LA Kun-FlamaSolo Exhibition New Orleans, LA The Mojo Collection Gallery Kansas City, MO The Collection Gallery Omaha, NE2003 Midwest Stir-FryUniversity of South Dakota Main Gallery Vermillion, SD State Capitol Building Pierre, SD2002 Wilber Stillwell Art Exhibition Vermillion, SD
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