Juanita Y. Kauffman

Related website: http://www.jykart.com

ARTIST'S STATEMENT:

Celestial, figurative and natural forms provide the foundation for the imagery in my work. Symbols for the basic elements of fire and water are also an integral part of many of my compositions. The abstractions of shapes from the human body are derived in part from preliminary drawings and photographs, and some of the celestial imagery is derived from dream imagery. These motifs are then combined with expressive use of color and division of space to form composite images that are both formal and symbolic.

These paintings are created using fiber-reactive dyes on silk and can be hung freely in space. Smaller works include artwear, scarves and ties. My art expression is tied closely to my experiences of nature, dreams, spirituality and motherhood. However, I believe my paintings become more universal in meaning as viewers bring to the artwork their own experiences.

EDUCATION:

B.A., Art, Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana

Study and work: Haiti

Art Study Tour: Italy

M.A., Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois

EXHIBITIONS, COMMISSIONS

South Bend Regional Museum of Art, South Bend, Indiana: Fiber Exhibit, October 1999

Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana: Artwear 1999, Artwear 1998

Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York, New York: International Salon 1999-2000

Meriken, New York, New York: One person invitational show, 1998

Davide Fur, New York, New York: Ongoing exhibit beginning October 1998

Goshen College Art Gallery, Goshen, Indiana: An Artistic Legacy 1965-1998, Alumni Show 1998.

Ward-Nasse Gallery New York, NY : Naked: The Natural State of Being 1997; Unseen Realms 1997; Art Without Borders 1997; Milagros and Magic 1996; and International Salon 1995

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Boniface Galleries, New York, New York: Invitational one person show, 1995

"Voices in Dialogue" Women Doing Theology Conference, Bluffton, Ohio:

Carnegie Arts Center, Covington, Kentucky: Mennonite Arts Exhibit, 1994

COLLECTIONS:

Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Ascent: Blue River, 1999 commission of two 25-foot (8 meter) paintings on silk for chapel

Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey Threshold, 1997 commission of two 25-foot (8 meter) paintings on silk for chapel.

Interchurch Center, New York, New York Portals, pastel and watercolor on paper.

Goshen College, Goshen, Indiana Windows: Ascension, memorial painting on silk.

Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia Triptych altarpiece, silk paintings on exhibit in campus center.

Church of the Holy Spirit, Harleysville, Pennsylvania Portals, painting on silk diptych.

College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana Windows and Spheres, commissioned painting on silk.

Private collections of hundreds of individuals throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.