Artist Statement

Julie Girardini (b.1963 – U.S.) STATEMENT: I believe it is my responsibility as an artist to keep telling stories of our histories. I am obligated to observe the word around me and make some sense of it through visual means. Successfully doing this gives meaning to the social concerns and heightens awareness in each of us. I’m influenced by the journeys we take in our lives. I am interested in how we travel from one phase of life to another. Sometimes it involves a physical move. Other times it is an emotional shift. How do we make it feel like home? When do we know we are ready to move on? Do we get stuck on concepts of safety and security, or do we honor the opportunity for growth? I symbolize this through my use of iconic forms: boats, nests, houses…for me these forms hold histories. They show us where we have been and where we are going. My primary use of steel gives permanence to these structures, but I push the boundaries by mixing in elements of glass, wire, paper and encaustic to bring a feeling of fragility and the ethereal nature of life.

Artist Bio

Biography and Statistics:

   Education:

    University of Colorado: 1984-1986

    University of Maryland: Bachelors Degree in Art History; 1991

    

   Occupation:

    Sculptor of one of a kind works

    Artist/Designer and Co-owner - Girardini Fine Art and Design: 1992 – present

    Ceramics Instructor: Columbia Art Center, Columbia MD

 

   Personal:

    Working and making a living in the arts for more than 28 years.

 

    

Exhibitions and Positions:

Positions:

    Served as board member for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund 1999-2005  CERF+

    Juror for American Craft Council shows  2007

 

   Fine Art/Craft Shows:    (Selected)

American Craft Council shows:  Baltimore ,Atlanta, St. Paul, Charlotte

and San Francisco since 1992

        Crafts America: Washington Fine Craft Show since 1994            

        Kansas City: Plaza Art Fair 2002 -2004

        St. Louis Art Fair 2002- 2004

        American Craft Exposition Show: Evanston, IL  2006, 2009

        Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fine Craft Show.

 

   Galleries and Collections:

        Ongoing relationships with art/craft galleries nationwide

Kaiser Permenente; permanent collection

American Embassy in Canada; International Craft Collection

        United States Ambassadors Residence in Georgetown, Guyana

 

    Public Commissions:

        Enoch Pratt Public Library - Canton Branch - Baltimore Maryland, 3 Boats

        Park Potomac - Potomac Maryland, Lobby Project

        United Christian Parish - Reston Virginia, Cross Project

 

Statement:

 

Working as an artist for 28 years I realize that it is my job to heighten awareness about social concerns to the minds of my audience.  Using cold rolled steel as my main medium I incorporate imagery to evoke emotion.