Emily Chase makes ethereal garments out of paper. She uses clothing as a subject because it is a personal and expressive thing. How people dress reveals what they believe is important, culturally and personally. Clothing is able to indicate a history without a person being present. Paper is workable in many of the same ways that cloth is—you can sew it, embroider it, dye it, and tear it—but, at the same time it denies the clothing she makes its ability to be worn or used. It allows the garments to be seen from a different perspective, to examine the fragility and impermanence of the things we keep closest to our skin. Her current work is focused on the growth, disintegration, and regrowth of relationships.
Chase grew up on the move. She was born in New York State, but has since lived in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and, most recently, Arkansas. She received her BFA in Painting from the University of Arkansas in 2013, graduating Summa cum laude. In April 2013 she was chosen as a recipient of the Windgate Fellowship Award, a $15,000 award for graduating seniors working in a craft medium or process. She has studied at Penland School of Craft, as well as in Italy, Ireland, and the Czech Republic. She now works out of a studio in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she is working on building her fine art portfolio and her paper goods business. Chase will give an artist talk on Tues. March 8, 12-1pm as part of the Brown Bag Lunchtime Talks, Glendening Annex
“Exuviae”, an exhibition of Emily Chase’s work will be held in the Art Annex 100 Main Gallery from March 23 – April 11, 2016
Opening Reception: March 23, 4:45-5:45pm
Gallery hours: Monday and Wednesday 4:30-6:00pm