(b.1980, USA)
BFA. Maryland Institute College of Art in 2002
MFA. Ohio University in 2009.
Keeping figurative clay central in her practice, Andreas figures have been taken to the national and international stage. Practicing artist and educator, she has hosted many workshops centered around figurative rendering and construction. Andrea was an assistant professor at VCU 2011-2017 as well as the fountainhead fellow of the year 2010-2011.
These subject vary from 3/4 to larger than life scale and are featured in fantastical scenes that utilize the space around them. Slab built and hollow, the figures are constantly pressed from the inside outward. This technique provides structural stability and influences the figure shape and gesture. This way of working also heavily influences the conceptual theme of Andrea's body of work. How experience emotionally and physically transform the individual.
The following works of art are taken from Andrea's artist website, and to me best illustrated her technical abilities, narrative conceptuality, and creating a "scene" with presentation and utilization of prop and landscape.
Inherent Longing, 2007 (stoneware, paint. 3.5 x 10 x 13)
(detail) Inherent Longing, 2007 (stoneware, paint. 3.5 x 10 x 13)
Andrea talking about her work Inherent Longing 2007
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Un-home-like, 2010 (stoneware, paint, wooden cabinet) 5.5 x x12 x x10
(detail) Un-home-like, 2010 (stoneware, paint, wooden cabinet) 5.5 x x12 x x10
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Gently Down the Stream..., 2012 (exhibit view)
Gently Down the Stream...(half-figure) 2012 (stoneware, paint, stain) 31 x 41 x 42"
Gently Down the Stream...(standing-figure) 2012 (stoneware, paint, cardboard) 86 x 28.5 x 28.5"
Gently down the stream, was inspired by the media newspaper depiction of natural disaster, war, and protest through images. These subjetcs are portrayed in a similiar exressivness, body language, and composition. Anguished faces and strained bodies in these scenes attempting to bear witness to these memories.
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And then the wind blew, 2015 (stoneware, glaze, wood) 5.5 x 2.5 x 6
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(detail) And then the wind blew, 2015 (stoneware, glaze, wood) 5.5 x 2.5 x 6
Andrea eases her figures out of story and imagination, and closer to the realities found in the present experience. Trapped and detached, almost forlorn expressions within the suspended gesture of each subjects' inherent trauma.
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Andrea's Website: http://andreakeys.com/home.html
Articles:
https://artaxis.org/andrea-keys-connell/
http://www.wm.edu/as/andrewsgallery/pastexhibitions/Andrea%20Keys%20Connell.php
https://www.ohio.edu/finearts/whats-happening/news-story.cfm?newsItem=35795A10-5056-A874-1D877803B8173EF3