Julianna's profile
Starting with an investigation of patterns, like those found in storytelling, (mis)communication, textiles, and behaviors; my work speaks about comfort versus security, identity, gender norms, or accountability of actions.
I have methodically cut text to create work about banned books, woven multiples of miniature pants to speak about war, and created a crime scene between the characters of Dorothy and Alice to question our archetypes of gender. My dominant materials are typically from a store’s craft section, a recycle bin, or recovered from someone’s basement.
Currently I am focusing on historical fabric patterns that were once used in embroidery, weavings, or cross-stitching for home décor and to beautify utilitarian cloth. For my drawings in this series, working on gridded paper creates a direct reference to the way embroidery patterns are recorded and passed down in many cultures. My woven paper sculptures enlarge the patterns and allow for further manipulation. Being raised by an immigrant, culturally significant patterns were always a part of my environment – from Hutsul stitched pillows and cloths to traditional blouses, vests, and shoes. I alter these traditional patterns, and others from a wider history, to speak about the repetitions, restrictions, and psychological to physical restructurings that are evident in our day to day and our larger shared stories.
While my work focuses on drawing, paper sculptures, fiber, and installation I also seek out ways to promote artful actions outside of the studio. These actions include volunteering weekly to work with K- 5th graders and creating larger scale art projects that promote community engagement.
After graduating from Kent State with a BFA concentrating in painting, I received an MFA degree with Departmental Honors from Parsons School of Design. I have exhibited extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and was awarded the Chaim Gross Sculpture Award, a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Grant for works on paper, and my work is in numerous private collections. I have lived in 9 cities in 7 states, but Baltimore City has been my home for almost half of my life.
