Tidy solutions of geometry make architecture of chaos, creating a dance between mathematics and maps.
How is the world categorized and ordered? Who do these systems exist for?
To understand things better, we must warp, flatten, and make things recognizable and easy to manipulate.
How do we then grapple with knowing that our world maps are ultimately inaccurate, along with the ways we were taught to understand the world?
Things that can be solved remain mysterious; restrained ideas are often tumultuous under the surface.
How does science fail us?
Finding source imagery from natural phenomena, formulas, maps and geometric shapes, I reference constructed systems created as a result of human’s yearning to organize the world around us, to grip on things that are ultimately unknowable. I explore pre-existing theories, navigation charts and diagrams through physical and metaphysical landscapes and examine fossilized or fleeting traces of movement to analyze the different interpretations of this record. Through drawings, printmaking, and installation, I investigate the randomness of data, pattern and mark making, while charting connections between past and present
Artist Biography
Stephanie Van Riet is curious about the systems created as a result of human’s yearning to organize the world around us and contextualize things that are ultimately unknowable. Her work highlights the intricacies of mark making as traces of movement and life in something permanent, or fossilized, discovering the different interpretations that this record can provide. Through drawings, printmaking, and sculpture, she explores the randomness of data, pattern and natural phenomenon, while charting connections between past and present.
Her work has been included in several group exhibitions, both in the Boston area and in Connecticut. She recently had a solo exhibition at the Wotiz Gallery in Milton, MA (2022). She is the recipient of awards and residencies including Maker In Residence at Brandeis University(2022) and Juror’s Best in Show for her senior thesis exhibition at Connecticut College (2019).Van Riet received her BA in Studio Art and Anthropology from Connecticut College and recently completed a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Fine Art from Brandeis University.
She was born in MA and lives and works in Philadelphia, PA
Education
2022
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fine Arts, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
2019
BA, Studio Arts and Anthropology, Connecticut College, New London, CT
2014
Pre-College Program at Rhode Island School of Design, RI
Awards and Honors
2022
Maker In Residence, MakerLab at Brandeis University, MA
2019
Juror’s Best in Show: Senior Thesis Exhibition, Connecticut College, CT, Juror Nancy Chunn
2018
Sally Liebig ‘70 Prize, Art Department at Connecticut College, CT
Professional Experience
2022
Mural Team Intern at Mural Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Studio Assistant to Naoe Suzuki, Waltham, MA
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in Fine Arts, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
2021
Teaching Artist at Charles River Creative Arts Program, Dover, MA
2020
Teaching Artist at the Philly Art Center, Philadelphia, PA
2019
Membership Representative at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
Art Director and Head Counselor at Camp Stonewall, Thompson, CT
2018
Gallery Assistant at Zullo Gallery, Medfield, MA
stephanievanriet.comExhibitions
Solo
2022
Minutiae, Wotiz Gallery, Milton, MA
Group
2022
Out of Service, Dreitzer Gallery, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Fresh Faces, Abigail Oglivy Gallery, Boston, MA
2021
I: An Intimate Reflection, Emerson Contemporary Media Gallery, Boston, MA
Bad Service, Dreitzer Gallery, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
2020
Art Dash, Beacon Gallery, Boston, MA
Emerging Artists Exhibition, Kathryn Schultz Gallery, Cambridge, MA
26th Annual Juried Exhibition, Zullo Gallery, Medfield, MA
2019
Suspension: Senior Thesis Exhibition, Cummings Art Gallery, New London, CT
Taking Up Space, White Box Gallery, New London, CT
2018
Loose Leafs and Bindings, Cummings Art Gallery, New London, CT
