| e l s a s o l v e i g m i c k e l s e n |
| A gallery curator said to me recently---- “I can’t believe YOU did THIS” pointing his finger at one of my assemblage pieces. I just laughed; he probably didn’t know he had paid me a great compliment. I know, on the outside I look like a typical southern California soccer mom type, I can’t really help that. But I really want my work to extend beyond that artificial boundary. I work hard to interject meaning into my work, and expand my repertoire of materials. And, I’ll admit it; Home Depot is my favorite art store. I was born in North Dakota the youngest child to two dedicated teachers; we lived on campus in the Residence for Girls Dormitory at the University of North Dakota, a bit atypical. I never studied much art. My father, the mathematician, spent a lot of time with me over mathematics homework. I won’t say it was all in vain, but I know this was a frustrating activity for the old man. We eventually emmigrated to Canada, and spent some time in Norway , and in 1992 I returned to the United States with my own family. We now make our home near San Diego, CA. I have fun, my work is a constant experimentation with new materials, processes and ideas. I strive to bring small details and concepts of daily life to the sharper focus. My pieces often resonate with themes of a political or sociological nature, I can’t help myself, I just think about stuff a lot. I continuously educate myself about art history and contemporary artists – not knowing where inspiration will bloom. Stop learning and die---- it’s true. I’m an admirer of Duchamp, Rauschenberg, Calle, Warhol, Conner, Messeger, Freidman, and countless others. I find inspiration everywhere around me; from people, to Mother Nature, a city street or garbage dumpster. I love to put things together in unexpected ways, break rules and stretch boundaries. Yup, I did that. |
| Exhibitions | ||
| 2009 | ||
| The 10,000 People Project, Art House Coop, Atlanta, GA | ||
| San Diego County Fair Exhibition of Art, Del Mar, CA | ||
| 2008 | ||
| Fair Weather Warning, Kruglak Gallery, Oceanside, CA | ||
| The Canvas Project, Art House Coop, Atlanta, GA | ||
| Aliens and Zombies, online finalist, Agni Gallery, 170 E. 2nd, New York, NY | ||
| Stuff your Sorries in a Sack, Art House Coop, Atlanta, GA | ||
| ArtSplash 2008, RAA Rockaway Artists Alliance, Rockaway Beach, NY | ||
| a politic, Gallery XIV, Boston, MA | ||
| Escape, Kruglak Galery, Oceanside, CA | ||
| Battle of the Bands and Arts, Mira Costa College, Oceanside, CA | ||
| 2004 | ||
| San Diego County Fair Exhibition of Art, Del Mar, CA | ||
| 2003 | ||
| Del Mar Fair Exhibition of Art, Del Mar, CA | ||
| Awards | ||
| 2008 | ||
| Kruglak Gallery, Escape - First Place Award | ||
| 2003 | ||
| Sitag Design Expressions Contest - Judges Citation | ||
| Publications | ||
| Escape at the Kruglak, .The Chariot, May 2008 | ||
| A Politic; Getting Political at Gallery XIV, ArtScope Magazine, Brian Goslow, July/August ‘08 | ||
| Street artist inspires too much enthusiasm, The Boston Globe, John C. Drake, July 8, 2008 | ||
| What I did on World Toy Camera Day, LightLeaks Magazine, Issue 8 2007, page 11 | ||
| e l s a s o l v e i g m i c k e l s e n |