AIMÉE FARNET SIEGEL
New Paintings and Mixed Media
October 21 – December 13, 2023
Pull Quote
"My work explores connections whether it’s visually through linework or literally. And as I work, I enjoy shifting between very small and very large pieces, as I find each informs the other."
Biography
A I M É E F A R N E T S I E G E L | | | biography
[lives & works - New Orleans, LA ||| b. 1963 – New Orleans, LA]
AIMÉE FARNET SIEGEL works with color and line through the medium of found, hand-painted, and manipulated paper. Her works inhabit space outside the two-dimensional plane of paint on canvas and have a depth beyond collage and are closer in nature to assemblage.
Inspired by typography with a deep-rooted connection to the grid, Siegel’s graphic design background is evident in her work.
In 2019 she presented an independent site-specific installation in conversation with works in the international group show Hinge Picture: Eight Women Artists Occupy the Third Dimension at the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans. Concurrently, Siegel exhibited in a solo show at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery, New Orleans. And in a group show at Spalding Nix Fine Art, Atlanta.
Born in New Orleans in 1963, Siegel received her BFA from Louisiana State University and later studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts.
Artist Statement
My work explores connections whether it’s visually through linework or literally, as in my series titled, Aimée and The Post Office.
In 2018, I mailed small unfinished works to close friends, collectors, and Instagram followers. Each was mailed with no protective envelopes, inviting scratches, rips and ink marks from my unwitting partner, the US Post Office. Having gone through the postal system, I felt the works were now finished. These surprise gifts were my way of connecting.
I push scale differences within bodies of work. And as I work, I enjoy shifting between very small and very large pieces, as I find each informs the other. However, living this new Covid normal, where I’m cut off from family and friends and my studio is now on my front porch, I feel the need to work small. Rather than connecting, I’m realizing my need to be insular. My works have become cocoon-like. And each feels like a puzzle I’m trying to solve.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
2008 – 2017 Ongoing education, New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts
1984 BFA from Louisiana State University
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 Principle of Uncertainty, Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA
UnHinge, Johnathan Ferrara Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2018 The Space Between, Barrister’s Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2016 Momentum and My Muse, Barrister’s Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2013 No Hiding, Barrister’s Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2012 Living on Stilts, Gallery 3001, Joey K’s Restaurant, New Orleans, LA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018 Thirty New Orleans Artists, The Second Story Gallery, presenting at New Orleans Healing
Center, New Orleans, LA
Into the Blue: Artist Invitational, Blue Spiral Gallery, Asheville, NC
2017 Fivefecta, Degas Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2016 La Femme, The New Orleans Art Center, New Orleans, LA
2014 Imago Mundi: New Orleans Repatriation, Prospect.3 Adjunct, New Orleans Museum of Art,
New Orleans, LA
Recent Works, The Georges Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2013 Louisiana Contemporary, Juried group exhibition, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art,
New Orleans, LA
2009 Art in a Box, RHINO Contemporary Crafts, New Orleans, LA
2006 Group Show, Exhibited: The Gift Box, sculptural assemblages, Georges Art Gallery, Metairie Park Country Day School, New Orleans, LA
ARTIST RESIDENCIES, GRANTS, AND AWARDS
2018 Harpo Foundation, Inc., Grant recipient
2018, 2017 Directed Independent Study, Aimone Studio, Thomaston, MA
2017, 2016 Masters Level Independent Study, Steven Aimone, Atlantic Center for the Arts,
New Smyrna Beach, FL
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Andrea Andersson and John Cable
Walda and Sydney Besthoff
Sheila Bosworth and Thomas B. Lemann
Dathel and Tommy Coleman
Robin and Bruce Crutcher
Pia and Malcolm Ehrhardt
Barbara and Biff Motley
Jim Mounger
Auseklis Ozols
By Commission
Although Aimee Farnet Siegel is not a portrait artist, she creates works that are imbued with the essence or spirit of a person, place, or memory she calls these commissioned works “spiritures."
Aimee begins each spiriture by coping photographs provided by her client—-individuals, family, friends, family homes, vacation memories, whatever it is that brings this person joy. She creates a collage base with these images then continues with paint and collage, allowing the images to guide and inspire her. Some works retain pieces and parts of the original photographs while in others, the original images get embedded within the work.
Whether the original images are seen or not seen in the finished art, each is imbued with the client’s spirit, giving it its unique character.
To commission a work by Aimée Farnet Siegel, email info@jonathanferraragallery.com
