Lauren Rinaldi makes work that lives in the space where objectification, female power, and empowerment intersect and blur. She uses oil paintings, mixed media drawings and sketches as her vehicles to explore ideas about intimacy, gaze, body-image, sexuality and self-identity. She looks to the women in her life for inspiration and works to weave their experiences with her own, creating a shared narrative that celebrates women while acknowledging obstacles they often face. While Rinaldi’s portraits are often modeled after her own body, they communicate stories of universal importance in our contemporary moment. Focusing closely on particular regions of the body––legs, heads, torsos––Rinaldi detaches the image from the self-portrait or any particular person, instead offering psychological representations that manifest societal pressures that affect woman. Her images provide a mysterious woman and want for narrative, but without conclusion, giving comment on woman’s many deemed roles, challenging viewers to move beyond stereotypes and first impressions.
Artist Biography
Lauren Rinaldi (b. 1983, Brooklyn, NY) is an American artist living and working in Philadelphia, PA. She studied painting and drawing at Tyler School of Art, where she earned her BFA in 2006. Since then, her solo shows have included Representative (2020); Still Standing (2018); Hunger of the Cheeky Sisters (2015); At Arm’s Length (2014); and An Accidental Masterpiece (2011), all at Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia and she has exhibited her work extensively in group shows throughout Philadelphia and the US.
Education
2012 The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia, PA Muralist Training Program and Apprenticeship
2006 Tyler School of Art of Temple University, Philadelphia, PA BFA, Painting
2004 Temple University Rome, Rome, Italy, Study Abroad Program
Awards & Honors
2018 Let’s Connect Top 20 Artist, The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia PA
2016 Micro-grant Recipient, InLiquid and Blick Art Supplies
2015 Rad Artist of the Year Nominee, Philadelphia Rad Girls, Philadelphia, PA
2013 Alma Finestone Memorial Award, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA
People’s Choice Award Finalist, 3rd Ward Philly’s Learn.Make.Inspire, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Award of Merit II, The Berks Art Alliance, Reading, PA
2011 Juror’s Recognition Award, Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
70th Annual Awards Painting Show, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA Juror: Joan Wadleigh Curran
A Celebration of Life and Art 2013, The Hospital of The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2012 Atlantis Group Show, Lost Bar, Philadelphia, PA
Window Factory Arts Autumn Social, Window Factory Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Transformation 19124, Saint Mark’s Church, Philadelphia, PA
ArtNUDE, James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Collage and Mixed Media Exhibition, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
The Berks Art Alliance 35th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Reading, PA Juror: Chris Feiro
ReSource Philadelphia’s Pop-Up Arts and Community Event, Crane Arts Old School: The White Space, Philadelphia, PA
Muralist Training Program Exhibition, The Commonwealth Gallery at the Thomas Eakins House, Philadelphia, PA
Continuing Education Programs Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Small Worlds, The Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Community Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
For Penn Treaty, Slingluff Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2011 Drink Philly First Friday, Drink Philly, Philadelphia, PA
Art For The Urban Collector, Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
POST: Philadelphia Open Studio Tours, 915 Arts Building, Philadelphia, PA
The Berks Art Alliance 34th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, Reading Public Museum, Reading, PA Jurors: Nancy Campbell and Lisa Tremper Hanover
ART/GAGE: Celebrate Philly Creativity, Paradigm Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
3rd Annual Juried Exhibition, Manayunk-Roxborough Art Center, Philadelphia, PA (Juror: Michael Adams)
68th Annual Awards Painting Show, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA Juror: Michael Kowbuz
Philadelphia Community Exhibition, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2010 Art For The Urban Collector, Highwire Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
The Reproductive Arts Extravaganza, AxD Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
2009 Grand Small Works, The F.U.E.L. Collection, Philadelphia, PA
2007 The Art Rescue Project, Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia, PA
2006 The Collection: Re-Introduce, The F.U.E.L. Collection, Philadelphia, PA
Introduce Yourself, The F.U.E.L. Collection, Philadelphia, PA
2004 Salon: Possibilities in Painting, The Optimistic, Philadelphia, PA
Exhibitions Curated
2015 Les Femmes Folles Art Presents: Tales, Monongalia Arts Center, Morgantown, WV
Public Projects
2020 Mary Isaacson for State Representative Re-election Campaign, Philadelphia, PA In collaboration with Elliott Curson Friends of Mary Isaaacson
2019 New York Fashion Week with Project #Cancerland x AnoOno Artist collaboration with Dana Donofree for Project Cancerland's Fundraiser show benefitting Metavivor
2018 - 2019 Your Voice Matters: Vote Here Community Banner Project, Philadelphia, PA 18th Ward Democrats
2017 Bancroft School Murals, Mount Laurel, NJ Kent Design
Engine 6 South Street Electrical Box, Philadelphia, PA HaHa x Paradigm Public Projects
2012 - 2013 Imagining Frankford, Philadelphia, PA The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
