Shawne Major's Mixed-Media

Artist Statement

Shawne Major I am interested in how the perception of reality is colored by dreams, memory, superstition, religion, bias, prejudice, and fear. My mixed-media works, in general, refer to the overlay of belief systems created by the individual to piece together their personal paradigm.

My vocabulary—a combination of kitsch, ersatz and craft materials, junk and personal objects—is re-aesthetisized into accumulated forms that serve as metaphors for the build-up, organization and assimilation of information. The personal objects are evidences of pain, happiness, loss, guilt, shame—all the material detritus of the everyday human experience.

The vernacular (as a language of objects indigenous to my class and culture) is used here to subvert the hierarchy of high art. The kitsch of popular culture is transformed—through collage and intense manual labor—into the elite fine-art object. By evoking the elitism inherent to the idea of the hand-crafted object, these mass-produced articles become the raw materials that are employed in the "hand-crafting" of the art piece.

I choose particular materials for their visceral qualities, as well as their symbology and real-world references. The power of the fetish object intrigues me. The methods by which disparate elements are connected are as integral as the objects themselves. All materials, as words in a paragraph, are treated in a more-or-less equal manner and bring their own bits of signification and narrative to the visual "story."

—Shawne Major

Biography

Born in New Iberia, Louisiana

Solo & Two Person Exhibitions

2020	Shawne Major— Texas Gallery, Houston, TX, Jan - Feb Folie à Deux— Lawndale Arts Center, Houston, TX, Jan- Mar
2018	Shawne Major: Pareidolia—Callan Contemporary, New Orleans, LA, Aug-Sep.
2017	Side Eye: Recent Work by Shawne Major—Isaac Delgado Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Aug-Sep
2016	Spotlight on Shawne Major—Hilliard Museum of Art, Lafayette, LA, Dec-May
2015	Shawne Major: Surface Tension— Marcia Wood Gallery Midtown, Atlanta, GA, Jun-Jul Collective Memory: Works by Shawne Major— Callan Contemporary, New Orleans, LA, Jan
2013	Shawne Major: Monkey Mind—Moreau Art Gallery, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, Oct Shawne Major—Ravens and Crows—Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center, Ocean Springs, MS, Aug-Sep
2012	Rhyme and Reason: The Art of Shawne Major—Hilliard Museum of Art, Lafayette, LA, Sep-Dec Shawne Major: On a Darkling Plain—Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL, Apr-Jun Shawne Major: Fetish—Marcia Wood Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Jan-Feb
2010	Tickle: New Works by Shawne Major—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, LA, May
2009	Shawne Major: Love Calls Us to the Things of This World—Irvine Contemporary, Washington, DC, Apr
2008	The Sacred Space of Shawne Major—Opelousas Museum of Art, Opelousas, LA, Feb-Ap
2007	Recent Fiber Works by Shawne Major & Christine Tedesco—Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, Jan-Mar
2006	Apogee—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, May-Jun Intrinsic Value: Works by Shawne Major—Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA, Apr-May
2005	Coffee Milk—Fine Arts Gallery, University of New Orleans Lakefront, New Orleans, Jan-Feb
2004	Portal to Portal—Architects & Artists Space, Lafayette, LA, Nov
2003	Hegemony Pajamas—Galerie Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, Apr-May Bricolage/Montage: Shawne Major/Linda Frese—NOCCA Riverfront, New Orleans, Feb-Mar

Selected Group Exhibitions

2021	She Persisted: Louisiana Women in Art —Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA, Mar-Jun
2020	Allan Jones, Painter - Mentor — Fletcher Hall Art Gallery, Lafayette, LA, Mar-Apr Art in the Time of Empathy — Arthur Roger Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Oct-Dec
2018	The Whole Drum Will Sound: Women in Southern Abstraction— Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, LA, Mar - Jul B18: Wiregrass Biennial, — Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, AL, Jul - Sep Shelf Life — Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, Aug - Nov
2017	Intersections of Gender and Place — MS Univ. for Women Galleries, Columbus, MS, Oct.
2016	20th Century Louisiana Artists — LSU Museum of Art at the Shaw Center, Baton Rouge, LA, Mar-Dec Art in Embassies— Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Jun 2016-Dec 2018 Conjurers: Artists Imbue the Ordinary— Visual Arts Center of Richmond, Richmond, VA, Sep - Dec Louisiana Contemporary— Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, LA, Aug-Sep Gallery Walk at Terminus— Terminus, Atlanta, LA, Mar-Jun
2015	Scope Art Fair— Callan Contemporary, Miami, FL, Dec Objects of Interest: Recent Acquisitions for the Permanent Collection— Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, Sep-Feb
2014	Scope Art Fair— Callan Contemporary, Miami, FL, Dec Trivial Pursuits: Obsession’s Allure —Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, Oct-Jan
2013	Front & Center: Group Show—Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL, Nov-Jan Sputnik 1—Boyd Satellite Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Aug One Thousand Words—Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, May-July Dazzling Dancing Beads—North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND, Apr-May Her Infinite Variety—Barristers Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Mar-Apr Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables—Barristers Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Feb
2012	V—Homespace Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Dec Reflections—Heriard/Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Nov Luxuriant Refuse—Pearl Fincher Museum, Spring, TX May - Aug Today's Visual Language: Southern Abstraction, A Fresh Look—Mobile Museum of Art, Mobile, AL, Apr - Sep RAW—Homespace Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Jan
2011	Texas Contemporary Art Fair—Texas Gallery, Houston, TX, Oct Old Methods, New Visions: Three Louisiana Artists—LA Art & Science Museum, Baton Rouge, LA Aug-Oct Artists Tribute I—Irvine Contemporary, Washington, DC, Jun-Jul Fresh—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Jun Visiting Artist Exhibition—On the Edge Gallery, NOCCA Institute, New Orleans, LA, Jan-Feb
2010	Here, There, and Everywhere—Dallas Contemporary, Dallas, TX, Sep-Oct Tradition/Innovation—Louisiana Art & Science Museum, Baton Rouge, LA . Jul-Sep 40—Texas Gallery, Houston TX, Jun-Jul
2009	Scope Art Fair—Irvine Contemporary, Miami, FL, Dec Aspect:Ratio2—Irvine Contemporary, Washington, DC, Jan Muses—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Jan
2008	Scope Art Fair—Irvine Contemporary, Miami, FL, Dec Futurity—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, LA, Nov Louisiana Women—River Oaks Art Center, Alexandria, LA Oct-Nov 40 days & 40 Nights—Louisiana State Archive, Baton Rouge, LA, Jul-Sep Prospect 1. New Orleans Biennial—Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, Nov-Jan Innovation/Tradition—NEA/Southern Arts Federation traveling exhibition beginning at Atlanta History Center, 08-12
2007	Southern Open—Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, May-Jul National Association of Women Artists: New Members Exhibition—NAWA Gallery, NYC, Mar Selections—Jack the Pelican Presents, Brooklyn, NY Jan-Feb
2006	Grendel Miami(during Miami Basel)—Jack the Pelican Presents, Miami, FL, Dec Louisiana Gallery Artists Group Exhibition—Heriard-Cimino Gallery, New Orleans, Dec Contact/ Gulf Coast Exhibit—Art League of Long Island, Dix Hills, NY, Oct-Nov Sustained Winds: Before-During-After—Acadiana Center for the Arts, Lafayette, LA, Jan-Mar Exit 101—Abercrombie Gallery, Lake Charles, LA, Jan-Feb
2005	Legacy: Recent Acquisitions—Paul & Lulu Hilliard Museum, Lafayette, LA, Dec-Apr Recent Acquisitions: Paintings and Sculpture—Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, Aug-Nov Spirit of Place: Art of Acadiana—Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans, May-Sep Art With a Southern Drawl—University of Mobile, Mobile, AL, Apr Nouveaux Artistes d'Acadiana—Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, New Orleans, Jan-Mar

Selected Bibliography

2018	New Orleans Art Insider, ((Aug. 12,) "Shawne Major at Callan Contemporary," Eric Bookhardt Dothan Eagle, (Aug. 9,) "'B18' exhibit has it all- abstract paintings, gospel hymns and Diet Mountain Dew," Peggy Ussery The New Orleans Advocate, (Mar. 27,) "Ogden show explores a range of abstract art by Southern women," John D'Addairo Art & Antiques, (Mar 27,) “Deeper into the South,” Sarah E. Fensom PelicanBomb.com, (May 30,) "Thunderous Noise: “The Whole Drum Will Sound" at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art," Taylor Murrow The New Orleans Art Review, (Spring,) “Women and Southern Abstraction,” Terrington Calas
2017	The Acadiana Advocate, (Apr. 15,) "Artist Shawne Major weaves, sews, binds and patches her way to sophisticated artwork," Patricia Gannon The Independent, (Mar 2,) "Collection Affection" Spiritual Journeys: Homemade Art from the Becky and Wyatt Collins Collection, Edited by Laura Blereau. Lafayette, LA: Hilliard University Art Museum
2016	Richmond Times Dispatch, (Aug. 31,) "Arts Preview: Visual arts range from haute couture to recycled everyday objects," Joan Tupponce RVAMAG.com (Oct. 4,) "Artists give meaning to ordinary objects in VisArts' Conjurers exhibit," Sasha Jiron Burnaway, (Nov. 29,) Conjuering Art from Castoffs at Visual Arts Center of Richmond," Kimberly Jacobs Pelican Bomb, (Sep. 14,) "Exhibition Pick: Louisiana Contemporary," Jacob Kiernan
2015	Arts Atlanta, (Aug. 26,) Review: Math is beautiful in quirky 'August Geometry' at Marcia Wood Gallery," Jerry Cullum Burnaway, (Jul 20,) "Painting with Objects: Shawne Major at Marcia Wood," Matthew Terrell Gambit, (Jan 2,) "An Interview with Mixed Media Artist Shawne Major," Missy Wilkinson New Orleans Insider, (Jan. 11,) "Shawne Major at Callan Contemporary," Eric Bookhardt New Orleans Advocate, (Jan. 14,) "Shawne Major's Mixed Media Works are Thick with Meaning"," John d'Addario New Orleans Art Review, (Winter 14-15,) "Gallery Walk," Marian S McLellan
2014	Country Roads Magazine,(Nov,) "P3…Plus", Kristy Christiansen The Advocate, (Nov 22,) "I'm Not a Feminist, But…",Patricia Gannon MadHat Annual 15 "Eye on the World," Edited by Marc Vincenz Surface Design, (Winter) "Shawne Major: Colossal Collage," Nick Stillman
2013	The Observer, (Oct 16,) "Moreau Welcomes New Exhibits," Rebecca O'Neil Gambit, Blog of New Orleans, (Aug. 6,) "Review of 'Home' and 'Sputnik'," Eric Bookhardt The Mississippi Press, (Jul 31,) "Shawne Major's Exhibit Ravens and Crows opens Friday at the Mary C." The Sun Herald, (Jul 27,) "Shawne Major Exhibits 'Ravens and Crows' at the Mary C.," Cecily Cummings Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine, (Jan.,) "10th Annual Most Interesting People," Lynn Castille Huffington Post, (Jan. 2,) "Haiku Reviews: Greek Gods, The Wizard of Oz and a Facebook Miracle," Peter Frank Times Picayune, (Jan. 4,) "Boyd Satellite Gallery, the Must-see Spot on Saturday," Doug MacCash
2012	Acadiana Profile Magazine, (Dec. 2102 - Jan. 2013,) "Les Artistes: Piecing it Together," William Kalec, feature 008 Magazine, (Nov,) "Voice and Vision," Lana Henry The Vermilion, (Sept. 11,) "Fall Brings New Crop of La. Bicentennial Exhibits" The Advertiser, (Sept 6,) "Hilliard Museum unveils a fall full of art," Megan Wyatt AL.com, (Jun 1,) "'Southern Abstract' is a Compelling View of a Provocative Art Form," Thomas B. Harrison, photo Big Bridge, A Webzine of Poetry and Everything Else, 15th Anniversary Issue, Edited by Michael Rothenberg Burnaway, (Feb 2,) "Katherine Taylor and Shawne Major: Stillness, Clamor, and Fetish," Brian Hitselberger The Daily Iberian, (Sept 17,) "Rhyme & Reason: Find the unexpected in Major's masterpieces," Jessica Goff Felt and Wire, (Sept 26,) "Creative Chain: Connecting creatives one link at a time," Emily Potts HoustonCultureMap.com, (Jun 26,) "Art Fair Advisor Starts Tenure with a Contemporary Exhibit on Reclaimed Garbage at Spring's Hidden Museum," Tyler Rudick Sun Herald, (Feb 6,) "WAMA Exhibit reveals the Art in Contemporary Southern Crafts," Cecily Cummings A Unique Slant of Light: The Bicentennial History of Art in Louisiana, ed. Michael Sartisky and Richard Gruber, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
2011	The Advocate, (Oct 2,) "LASM Exhibit Blends Tradition, New Artist Ideas," Robin Miller The Daily Reveille, (Sep. 7,) "LA. Artists use Unconventional Materials," Joey Groner Times-Picayune, (Aug. 8,) "210 New Shelters will Keep Bus and Streetcar Riders Dry," Hannah Miet, photo Unlikelystories.org, (Jan, online,) "Mixed media Visual Art by Shawne Major," Jonathan Penton Washington City Paper, (Jun. 16,) "Reviewed: "Tribute 1" at Irvine Contemporary," Louis Jacobson
2010	Artforum.com, (May 15, online,) "Shawne Major at Heriard-Cimino Gallery," Natalie Sciortino-Rinehart Art Lies, (July, Issue 66 online,) "40," Wendy Vogel Brazzaville Art in Embassies Catalogue, Edited by Renee Drake. Art In Embassies: U.S. Dept. of State Culturemap Houston, (August 7,) "Woman Power: Texas Gallery's 40," Susie Kalil Dallas Observer, (October 7,) "Here There, & Beyond," Merritt Martin dart international, (spring summer) "Picking Cherries in Miami in December," Douglas Maxwell Gambit Weekly, (May 17,) "Shawne major's Tickle and Theresa Honewell's Fresh Threads," Eric Bookhardt Glasstire, Texas Visual Art Online, (July), "Bless Their Hearts", Kelly Klaasmeyer Houston Press, (Jun 24,) "40," Troy Schulze Inside Art New Orleans, (May 16, online,) "Major at Heriard-Cimino," Eric Bookhardt New Orleans Art Review, (Spring,) "Shawne Major: Sweet & Sour," Kathy Rodriguez
2009	Art Forum, (Jan,) "Being There, Elizabeth Schambelan" Art in America, (Feb,) "Deliverance: The Biennial," Lillie Wei Art News, (Jan,) "Prospect 1 Review," John R. Kemp Art Slant, (Jan, online,) "Old Mint, New Art," Eric Wenzel Creative Loafing, (Dec 9,) "Satellites, Sculptures and Sex at Art Basel," Veronica Pastore Gambit Weekly, (Jan 19), "Muses: Recent Work by Female Artists," Eric Bookhardt Louisiana Life Magazine, (Jul, Aug), A Tapestry of Art," John Kemp, feature New Orleans Art Review, (Mar, Apr.), "Muses:Anti-Trend", Terrington Calas NYFA Current, (Jan 29, online,) "Reflecting on Prospect 1," Nicole Caruth Panorama, (Sept. 13,) "Gallery Exhibition Stresses Relationship of Artist to Society," Jane G. Collins Salt lake City Fine Arts Examiner, (June 1), "Interview: Suzanne Fredericq," Qi Peng Shawne Major: Works, Catalogue, Edited and published by Martin Irvine and Irvine Contemporary. Washington DC Times of Acadiana (Jan,) "New Orleans Reinvented" Washington City Paper, (Apr. 15), "Shawne Major ," Maura Judkis
2008	American Craft, (Jun/Jul), "Tradition/Innovation," Sally Hansell, photo Art Daily.org, (Mar 19, online), "Prospect 1. New Orleans Announces Artists for Biennial" ArtNet.com, (Nov. 7, online), "Bleeding Heart Biennial," Walter Robinson Art News, (Oct), "Encouraging Wards," Carly Berwick Art Voices, (Dec), "Shawne Major," Eddie Langieri, feature article Bigredandshiny.com, (July 13, online), "Louisville Kentucky Art Galleries," Rita Lombardi Fiber Arts, (Nov/Dec), "Shawne Major: Spiritual Kitsch," Stephanie Nelson, feature, photo The Independent, (Oct 16, Lafayette, LA), "New Orleans Streetcar Shelters Get Art," Mary Tuttweiler New American Paintings, No. 76, Open Studios Press, Boston, MA NPR.org (Nov. 30,) Huge Biennial Puts Art All Over New Orleans, Eve Troeh New York Magazine, (Nov. 6,) Five Point Weekend Escape Plan Prospect 1. New Orleans Catalogue , Edited and Curated by Dan Cameron. New York: Picturebox Studio Visit Magazine, No. 1, Open Studios Press, Boston, MA Times of Acadiana, (Mar 5, Lafayette, LA), "Sacred Space Brings Tapestries to Opelousas," Brian Lafaye, feature article Times Picayune, (Oct 15, New Orleans), "RTA Canal Bus Street Shelters get Art", Susan Finch
2007	Gambit Weekly (Feb 20, New Orleans), "Paint Me Something Mister," Eric Bookhardt Times of Acadiana (Jul 25, Lafayette, LA), "Lost and Found," Jan Risher, feature article Times Picayune (Dec. 9, New Orleans), "Translating the Venice Biennale to New Orleans," Doug MacCash
2006	ArtInfo.com (Dec 19, online), "Art Basel Miami: Offbeat Highlights from the Fair Trail," Margery Gordon Country Roads (Nov, Baton Rouge, LA), "Trailblazers: Artists You Should Know," J. Richard Gruber Gambit Weekly (Jun 6, New Orleans), "Tiny Trinkets & Magical Tapestries," Eric Bookhardt New Orleans Art Review (Apr/May/Jun), "esthetica estheticans, natura naturans," Karl Volkmar Times-Picayune (Jun 16, New Orleans), "Buried Treasure," Doug MacCash
2005	ArtNews (Feb), "Amazing Cross Fertilization," John R. Kemp, photo Art Papers (Nov/Dec), "New Orleans Review," Eric Bookhardt Gambit Weekly (Jun 7, New Orleans), "Celebrating the Senses," Eric Bookhardt Times-Picayune (Jan 28, New Orleans), "Small Touches of Acadiana," Doug MacCash

Selected Grants & Awards

2016	Joan Mitchell Center Artist in Residence—New Orleans, LA Hermitage Artist Retreat Artist in Residence —Englewood, FL
2015	Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Residency Fellowship—Captiva Island, FL
2014	Percent for Art Acquisition—City of New Orleans, LA Robert Rauschenberg Foundation Residency Fellowship—Captiva Island, FL
2012	Career Development Grant—Louisiana Division of the Arts, Baton Rouge, LA
2009	Art Omi International Artists' Residency—Omi, New York
2008	Joan Mitchell Foundation Career Opportunity Grant Canal TransArt—Public Art Bus Shelter Project, New Orleans Pollock-Krasner Foundation Artist Grant
2006	Artist Fellowship—Louisiana Division of the Arts, Baton Rouge, LA
1997	Artist in Residence—Sculpture Space, Utica, NY
1996	Workspace Fellowship—Dieu Donne Papermill, NYC
1995	Artist in Residence—Corporation of Yaddo, Saratoga Springs, NY
1992	Artist in Residence—Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture, Skowhegan, ME

Selected Collections

City of New Orleans Permanent Collection
Francis Greenburger Collection—New York, NY
Hilliard Museum of Art—Lafayette, LA
Ogden Museum of Southern Art—New Orleans, LA

US Art in Embassies—Brazzaville, Congo
Frederick Weisman Foundation—Los Angeles, CA
New Orleans Museum of Art—New Orleans, LA
Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum—Washington, DC

Education

MFA—Sculpture, 1995, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
BFA—Painting, 1991, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, LA