MONIKA J. LEMMON
  • WORK
    • EVERYTHING AND NOTHING
    • ANATOMINCALS
    • LANDSCAPES
    • THREE DIMENSIONAL
    • New Works/ In Progress
  • Statement/Bio/CV
  • Contact / Purchase
​Statement
​I construct images and objects that abstract the human form, landscape, and man-made structures to reveal a connected existence. Our physical bodies are our vehicles for lived experience; they materially bind us to the natural world and the causal mechanisms that govern its processes. By dissolving the figure into visceral remnants and merging it with matrixes of natural and artificial forms, I emphasize the complexity of our burdened existence in nature and perceived free will.



Picture
Biographical Information
I am originally from the rural community of Selah, WA. I began my academic pursuits at Yakima Valley Community College and continued to Central Washington University where I received a BFA in Jewelry Metalsmithing. During this time I participated in a National Student Exchange program which allowed me to study glassblowing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI for one year. After completing my BFA, I worked in the glass industry in Portland, OR  as a glassblower, flame worker, and kiln fabricator for several years before attending graduate school at the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. While earning my MFA I focussed on both painting and sculpture and developing a thematic unity in my studio practice. 

I have worked as instructor of Design, Drawing and Sculpture and at the University of Idaho and as affiliate faculty at Metropolitan State University Denver where I instructed Beginning, Intermediate, and Figure Drawing.  

My background in visual arts includes a wide variety of materials and disciplines. I explore the human figure, animal anatomy and landscape in paintings,  drawings, and three dimensional objects. Most of my work alludes to my interest in causality, perception of lived experience, and deep fascination with the natural world.


​CV
​

Education
2013-2016           MFA-Painting & Sculpture, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID               
2003-2007         BFA-Metals & Jewelry, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA 
2004-2005         National Exchange Student-Glassblowing, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
2000-2002         Associates of Arts, Yakima Valley Community College, Yakima, WA
 
Teaching Experience
2021                     Adjunct Faculty, Heritage University, Toppenish, WA: Drawing
                               (Beginning, Intermediate, and Mixed Media Drawing)
2017-2019           Affiliate Faculty, Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO: Drawing 

                              (Beginning Drawing, Figure Drawing, Intermediate Drawing)
2017                     Foothills Parks and Recreation, Littleton, CO: Youth Arts
2016                     Instructor of Record, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID: Beginning Sculpture
2013-2016           Instructor of Record, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID: Art & Design Foundations 
                               (Drawing I, Drawing as Integrated Design Thinking, Design Processes)
2013-2016           Teaching Assistant, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID: 
                               (Contemporary Art Theory,Figure Drawing, Mixed Media, Art Education, Senior Thesis)
 

Selected Awards
2022     Lilian and Muriel Adams Award, Central Washington Artist Exhibit, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2015      GPSA Travel Grant, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

2015      Harriet Shrontz Scholarship, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 
2012      Sheryl Hahn Award, Central Washington Artist's Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
               Best of Show, 45th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Yakima, WA
               Fern Sorensen Best in Handwork, Adorn the Form, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA 
2006     Phineaus Arthur, Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2005     Honorable Mention, Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
2003     Honorable Mention, CWU Student Exhibition, Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Ellensburg, WA     
2001      Best of Show, YVCC Student and Faculty Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA
 
Selected Solo & Two Artist Exhibitions
2019      Connections, Boxx Gallery, Tieton, WA 
2018      Causality,Yakima Maker Space, Yakima, WA

2017      C-Squared Gallery, Lakewood, CO
2015      Nectar, Moscow, ID
2014      Reflections Gallery, Moscow, ID
              Oak Hollow Gallery,Yakima, WA
2012      Water Avenue Commerce Center, Portland, OR
              Radio Room, Portland, OR
              5 North,Yakima, WA 
              The Seasons, Yakima, WA 
2011      Corragio Group, Portland, OR 
 
Selected Exhibitions
2022      Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juror: Katie Buckingham)
2022      Artist Studio Tour, Art Bella Gallery Yakima, WA, 
2020     My Body My Truth, Dog & Pony Artspace, Spokane, WA (Curator: Assoc. of Hysteric Currators)

2019      Own an Original, Littleton Museum, Littleton, CO (Juror: Gwen Chanzit) 
               Colorado Local, Miller and Rossi, Denver,CO (Curated) 
               MSU Faculty and Staff Exhibition, Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO 
2018      Drawn to the Figure,Arts Longmont, Longmont, CO (Juror: Zoey Frank)
2016      Dark & Obscure, Art Gym, Denver, CO (Curator: Michael Keen)
              Amalgam, University of Idaho Pritchard Gallery, Moscow, ID 
2015      Blickpunkt/Viewpoint, Takt Gallery, Berlin Germany (Curated)
              MFA In Progress Exhibition, Ridenbaugh Gallery, Moscow, ID (Curated)     
2014      University of Idaho MFA Exhibition, WSU Museum of Art: Gallery 2, Pullman, WA (Curated)
2012      Central Washington Artist's Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
              Fifty Squared, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts, Yakima, WA (Curated)
              45th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Peggy Lewis Gallery, Allied Arts Yakima, WA (Juried)
              Adorn the Form, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
2011      Pacific Northwest Art Annual, Cultural Forum, Eugene, OR (Juried)
2009    The Senses, 100th Monkey Studio, Portland, OR (Curated)
2007    Conspirators in Metal, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA (Curated)
2006    Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)
2005    Central Washington Artist Exhibition, Larson Gallery, Yakima, WA (Juried)

 
Professional Experience & Residency
2015                      Takt Kunst Projektraum, Berlin, Germany: Artist Residency
2012-2019            Private Art Tutor, Yakima, WA and Denver, CO: Tutor for Children in Art
2008-2011            Savoy Studios, Portland, OR: Glassblowing and Metal Shop Assistant
2007                      Conspirators in Metal, Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA: Co-Curator 
 
Volunteer Experience
2017                       40 West Arts District Mural Fest, Lakewood, CO: Mural Artist for C-squared Studios
2012-2013             Larson Gallery Board of Directors, Yakima, WA: Publicity and Exhibitions Committees
2012                       Ready by Five, Yakima, WA: Adult ESL Conversation Partner
2011                        Space Craft Mission to Arts, Portland, OR: Summer Youth Workshops
 
Lectures
2015      Visiting Artist Lecture, ​Symbolizing in Chains, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 
2014      Visiting Artist Lecture, The Body is Connected, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID

 
Collections
Larson Gallery Permanent Collection, Yakima, WA
Doug and Laurie Kanyer Private Collection, Yakima, WA
Chelsea Cain Private Collection, Portland, OR
Halley Newhouse Private Collection, Sunnyside, WA
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • WORK
    • EVERYTHING AND NOTHING
    • ANATOMINCALS
    • LANDSCAPES
    • THREE DIMENSIONAL
    • New Works/ In Progress
  • Statement/Bio/CV
  • Contact / Purchase