Artist Statement

Prior to the COVID pandemic I painted natural and urban landscapes based on travel to places as varied as Patagonia, Iceland and Italy, relying on a combination of memory and sketches and photos made in the field to render the essence of place, rather than a realistic depiction. These paintings echo the American modernist tradition as embodied by artists such as Milton Avery, Arthur Dove, and Georgia O'Keefe.

In my mountain and Arctic series landscapes, massive forms of stone or ice, the desolation of ruined man-made structures and the presence of remarkable animal inhabitants dictated how I used cool or pale colors and large shapes to paint a place of seemingly marked by isolation and remoteness but actually infiltrated by human incursion.

In the case of the Roman and Italian urban landscape, I used a variety of warm colorful, geometric shapes, including apartment blocks, triangular roofs, and domes as well as natural forms like the iconic umbrella pines and other trees to convey the sunny feeling and charm of Italy (a second home of sorts for me) as opposed to a literal representation.

During the travel ban of the covid pandemic, a friend began posting photographs of flowers on her Instagram site. She focused on their formal qualities, like the varied shapes of seed pods, leaf patterns, or the sculptural look of a single flower, which were qualities that interested me as well in my painting. I asked her if I could paint from these photos. The interplay of strong shapes and color and an underlying sense of deep emotion in the photos were the same characteristics that captured my interest when experiencing a landscape from life so I was drawn to reinterpreting the floral specimens on canvas even though I could not experience them in person. In my series, botanical forms convey emotions such as loss in a painting with brown, shriveling lotus leaves, a meditative state as seen in a work with floating lotuses on a transparent pink and golden background, and exuberance in the spiky repeating patterns of hot-colored leaves with the yellow eyes of a leopard peering through them.

As I finished the botanical series and the travel ban eased, I began to see family and friends again. I was moved to paint the people that were significant in my life. I took photographs of friends and family began with more representational portraits. Subsequently, I began to explore more abstract versions of the figure at rest and in motion, which culminated in my first exhibition of figurative work in September 2023 at Cerulean Gallery.

I continue my work on the figure, incorporating it into urban landscapes and interiors. Concurrently, I am making small paintings based on the Philadelphia suburbs and the city.

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Artist Biography

I am a painter whose primary medium is acrylic on canvas. I live in the Greater Philadelphia area. My most recent work up to the Covid 19 pandemic was based on the landscape, both natural and urban, in places as varied as Patagonia, Iceland, Rome, Italy, and the Arctic. During the ban on travel during the pandemic lockdown, I completed a series of botanical paintings based on the photographs taken by a collaborator of the plants in the Huntington Gardens. My current series of paintings is based on the figure. I have had 14 solo exhibitions, most recently at Cerulean Gallery in Philadelphia in September 2023, and notably, at the Museo Mastroianni of the Musei di San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome in October 2018. I have exhibited extensively in juried group exhibitions regionally. In 2022, I was the first Artist in Residence at Park Towne Place, a program organized by InLiquid, the Philadelphia Arts Advocacy organization. I have a BA in Art History from Barnard College, Columbia University and an MD degree from the University of Rochester. I lecture on the relationship between art and medicine as well as the connections between art, nature, and health.  My awarded work has been acquired for collections by the Museo Mastroianni, Rome, PNC Bank, Pittsburgh, PA and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia and has been highlighted in Hollywood feature films.

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Education

2006-13
Norristown Arts Building, Norristown PA
Drawing and Painting Workshops with Timothy Hawkesworth

2008
Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Printmaking

2003-05
The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Continuing Education Program, Painting

1986
University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, NY
MD Degree

1981
Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
BA in Art History, Concentration in Architecture
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

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Awards and Honors

2019
Wayne Art Center Regional Juried Spring Open Exhibition, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Best in Show, Juror: Stuart Shils

2015
2015-2016 Juried Exhibition Series, New Brunswick Art Salon, Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ
2nd Place Award

2011
MCGOPA Spring Juried Show, SPP Gallery, Conshohocken, PA
Honorable Mention

2010
Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford PA
Honorable Mention

2008
The World of the Professional Artist, MCGOPA/SPP Gallery, Conshohocken, PA
Juror's Choice Award

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Lectures

2023
Exploring Public Health Impacts of Climate Change on Water in Philadelphia Region Through Artistic Reflections, with Dr Pouné Saberi, MD MPH,  Fairmount Waterworks, Philadelphia, PA

2018
Art Geo, North Wales Public Library, North Wales, PA

2017
A Wild Peace, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Art Geo, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2015
Art Lessons: The Role of Art in Medicine, Wissahickon Library, Blue Bell, PA

2014
Art Lessons: The Role of Art in Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University Annual Alumni Winter Meeting, Snowmass, CO

2009
Art and Medicine, Developed in Collaboration with Paul Mather, MD for the Capstone End-of-Year Lecture for The Thomas Jefferson University, Hospital Internal Medicine Residents

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Bibliography

2024
Tidings of Magpies, "Pia De Girolamo, Vietnam Travelogue", January, 21, 2024

2023
Invasion, 2022, acrylic on canvas, included in the first Art X Climate Gallery Juried online publication of the NCA 5 (Fifth National Climate Assessment)

2017
Marathon Literary Review: Arcadia University MFA in Creative Writing Biannual Literary Magazine, Selected Paintings, Issue 11

Artspan Contemporary Art, "New and Now 2016", Feb. 2016

2014
Artspan Contemporary Art, "Autumn Light", Fall 2014

2013
DonArtNews, Review: Pyramid Club Solo Show and Artist Interview, Nov. 2013

Skinny Artist, "21 Artists to Watch in 2013"

2012
Med Monthly, "A World of Emotion", May 3.

Artsy Shark, "Featured Artist: Pia De Girolamo", March 2012

2009
Philadelphia Inquirer, "A Little Science", June 26

2008
Montgomery Town and Country Living, "Venezia", Winter 2008

2007
Philadelphia Inquirer Montgomery County Neighbors Section Pagus Gallery Solo Show Art Review, Sept. 30

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Collections

Museo Mastroianni, Musei di San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome, Italy

PNC Bank Tower, Corporate Headquarters, Pittsburgh, PA

PNC Bank Corporate Offices, Berwyn, PA

PNC Wealth Management, Bluebell, PA

Thomas Jefferson University, President’s Office, Philadelphia, PA

Royer, Cooper, Cohen, Braunfeld, LLC, Conshohocken PA

Private Collection, Milan, Italy

Private Collection, Bethesda, Maryland

Private Collection, Ambler, PA

Private Collection, Blue Bell, PA

Private Collection, Hilton Head, SC

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Curatorial Projects and Juror Appointments

2018
All About Art Art Exhibition for Professional Artists with Disabilities, Moss Rehab/Einstein Healthcare Network, Elkins Park, PA
Juror for All About Art Awards

2017
RED: Benefit exhibition for The Philadelphia American Heart Association, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Co-Curator RED

2012
Heart of Philadelphia, 2012 Artwork for Silent Auction, American Heart Association, Philadelphia, PA
Curator, Heart of Philadelphia

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Press and Features

2022
‍Chaddsfordlive.com Garden from Pia De Girolamo

2021
‍Artwatch Radio Podcast with Amie Potsic Art Advisory

2017
‍Marathon Literary Review: Arcadia University MFA in Creative Writing Biannual Literary Magazine, Selected Paintings, Issue 11

2016
‍Artspan Contemporary Art, "New and Now 2016", Feb. 2016

2014
‍Artspan Contemporary Art, "Autumn Light", Fall 2014

2013
‍DonArtNews, Review: Pyramid Club Solo Show and Artist Interview,  Nov. 2013

2013
‍Skinny Artist, "21 Artists to Watch in 2013"

2012
‍Med Monthly, "A World of Emotion", May 3.

2012
‍Artsy Shark, "Featured Artist: Pia De Girolamo", March 2012

2009
‍Philadelphia Inquirer, "A Little Science", June 26

2008
‍Montgomery Town and Country Living, "Venezia", Winter 2008

2007
‍Philadelphia Inquirer Montgomery County Neighbors Section, Pagus Gallery, Solo Show Art Review, Sept. 30

Video Links

Bodies in Motion and Sometimes at Rest: Artist Talk with Michael Kowbuz at Cerulean Gallery

Pandemic Flowers: A Bicoastal Conversation a two-person exhibition featuring the botanical paintings of Pia De Girolamo and the photographs of Laurel Termini

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Exhibitions
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Solo

2023
Bodies in Motion and Sometimes at Rest, Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2022
Artist Impressions: Park Towne Place, InLiquid at Park Towne Place, Philadelphia, PA
Work created as Artist in Residence    

Garden, Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2021-22
Northern Latitudes, Da Vinci Art Alliance at Atria Senior Living, Philadelphia, PA

2021
‍78º 16º: The Arctic Series, Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2019
‍Being There: The Rome Series, Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2018
‍Mountain Series, Museo Mastroianni in the Musei Di San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome, Italy

‍Mountain Series, Cerulean Arts Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2017
‍Mountain Series, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Recent Work,  Art in the Storefront Gallery, Ambler, PA

Recent Work, Bryn Mawr Dermatology, Bryn Mawr, PA

Mountain Series Selection, InLiquid at TheCourtyard by Marriott, Philadelphia, PA

2014
Abstractions, David Rocco Gallery/Pyramid Club, BNY Mellon Center, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Abstractions, David Rocco Gallery/ Capital One Café, Philadelphia, PA

2012 ‍

Pia De Girolamo: New Work, David Rocco Gallery, Philadelphia PA

2011
A Sense of Time and Place, Olitsky Gallery, Temple Beth Or, Maple Glen, PA

2007
On My Way, Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA

2004
Outside and Inside, Horsham Public Library Inaugural, Horsham, PA

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Two and Three Person

2023
Pandemic Flowers: A Bicoastal Conversation, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Juried Proposal

2018
Montgomery County Studio Tours Juried Show, Cellini Gallery, Ambler, PA

2016
The Body Eclectic, Scatter Joy Center for the Arts, Horsham, PA

2014
Two Person Show, The Residences, Two Liberty Place, Philadelphia, PA

2010
June Exhibition, Geode Gallery, Cleveland, OH

2009
Green Fest Philly Spring Event Always by Design Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Spring Exhibition, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA

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Selected Group

2024
At the Edge of Light and Darkness (2024 Members Exhibition), CFEVA, Philadelphia, PAGuest Curator, Angela McQuillan

2023
SUBMERGED: A Changing Global Climate, Fairmount Waterworks, Interpretive Center, Philadelphia PA          

2022
Select2022, Garvey/Simon Art Advisory, online at Artsy.net and in New York, NY
Curated by Elizabeth Garvey          

2020
The Inquisitives: At the Intersection of Art and Science, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

2020
Climate Change: What Will You Do to Help? Juried Exhibition, Oxford Arts Alliance, Oxford, PA ‍

Banished for the Good of the Realm, InLiquid.org online juried exhibition

Isolation, Artspan.com, online juried exhibition
Awarded Runner-up

2019
Wayne Art Center Regional Juried Spring Show, Wayne Art Center, Wayne, PA
Juror: Stuart Shils, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Faculty, Awarded Best in Show

2018
3rd Street Gallery Members Exhibition, D'Arrigo Gallery Salus University, Elkins Park, PA

2017
Water Ways: A Greater Philadelphia Regional Artist Installation, Freeman's Auction, Wayne, PA

Professional Artist Members Juried Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA
Juror: Ross Lance Mitchell, Director, Barnes-De Mazia Education and Outreach Programs, Barnes Foundation

RED, Benefit exhibition for The Philadelphia American Heart Association, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2016
New and Now 2016, Artspan Contemporary Art, Online

Home and Away, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

All Together NOW! 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Annual Dominic Di Stefano Memorial Works on Paper Juried Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2015
New Brunswick Art Salon Oil and Mixed Media Exhibition, Invitational/Juried Show, Alfa Art Gallery, New Brunswick, NJ

3rd Street Gallery Group Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Absolutely Abstract Juried Show, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

Spring Gala Exhibition Juried Show,  Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2014
Assemblage: A Convergence of Art 3rd Street Gallery - Philadelphia, PA

Autumn Light, Artspan Contemporary Art, Online

Snowflake Salon Winter Invitational, Heavy Bubble HQ, Philadelphia, PA

Art Encounters Invitational, Delaware Community College Art Gallery, Media, PA

2013
Professional Members Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2012
Professional Members Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2011
Small Works, Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA

Memory, Pagus Gallery, Norristown, PA

Alchemy and Intent, City of Philadelphia Board of Ethics,Philadelphia, PA

MCGOPA Spring Juried Show, SPP Gallery, Conshohocken, PA

2010
InLiquid Art and Design Benefit v.11, Ice Box Project Space, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Green Monos: Abstract Monotype Prints, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Main Line Art Center 72nd Anniversary Members Exhibition, Main Line Art Center, Haverford, PA

2009
InLiquid 10th Anniversary Show, Gallery 543 Urban Outfitters HQ, Philadelphia, PA

Four Artists, New Work, Muse Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2008
Fall Collection, F.U.E.L. Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

The World of the Professional Artist, MCGOPA/SPP Gallery, Conshohocken, PA

2004
Continuing Education Program Annual Juried Show, The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2004
64th Annual Juried Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA