Joan Konkel

ARTIST STATEMENT 

My work unchains color and allows it to cross dimensions.  It aims to create a unique realm where light, color and space interact with metal and layered mesh to form a visual labyrinth.  This is an amorphous dimension, where depth perception may deceive, where metal seems ethereal, and layers of color combine, or fracture.  It is a place of forces in opposition, the absorption of light verses the amplification of light, a place that whispers of mysteries both physical and spiritual

I begin with a base of painted canvas and layer it with painted mesh.  The open weave of the mesh provides pathways for light as well as the conveyance of color.  As light makes its way through layers of mesh, it reflects and refracts off thousands of colored strands before reaching the painted canvas below. Optical illusions and physics play with one's perception.  Sometimes a shimmering luminescence will arise.  Colors from the layers blend optically and can change hue from other angles. Intriguingly, certain color combinations give rise to the moiré effect which breaks apart a hue into a bicolored interference pattern.  Other color combinations block the effect.  Mark Jenkins of the Washington Post wrote:  “Although they’re made of solid stuff, Konkel’s artworks are hymns to ephemerality and change.”

What drives me are curiosity and the desire to create art that remains active. I explore possibilities inherent within the materials and harness or enhance phenomena.  Patterns are manipulated, space is altered, colors layered, and the door left open for the painted strands and ambient light to perform their magic.  With light and space incorporated, I hope to create a labyrinth for contemplation, the imagination, and visual enchantment.

RESUME 

Solo Exhibitions-

-Zenith Gallery.  Washington, DC    2006,  2007, 2014, 2023

-Harmon Meek Gallery, Naples, FL. 2017,  2020

-530 Burns Gallery, Sarasota, FL. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017, 2018, 2019

-National Institutes of Health, Hatfield Center, Bethesda, MD, 2017

-Nikki Sedacca Gallery.  Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, MA   2015 

-The Crossroads Gallery.   Falls Church, VA   2013

-Levine School of Music.   Washington, DC    2012

-Sande Webster Gallery. Philadelphia, PA   2007

-Gallery Siano.  Philadelphia, PA (one of four solo shows), “Metallurgy,” 2005 

Group Exhibitions Include:

-530 Burns Gallery. Sarasota, FL 2013 - present. Two person show: January 2022.

-A Gallery Fine Art, Palm Desert, CA   2011 - present

-Anderson Fine Art Gallery, St. Simons Island, GA 2021 - present

-Artist’s Proof, Washington, DC   

-Gallery 555, Washington, DC

-Gloer Gallery, Palm Desert, CA

-Harmon Meek Gallery, Naples, FL  

-Judy Ferrara Gallery, Three Oaks, MI 2021- present.

-Lagerquist Gallery, Atlanta, GA

-Lisa Kurts Gallery, Memphis, TN

-Long View Gallery, Washington, DC

-Louisa Gould Gallery, Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

-M.A. Doran Gallery, Tulsa, OK

-Monika Olko Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY.

-National Association of Women Artists, New York, NY

-Robert Kidd Gallery, Birmingham, MI 2021 - present.

-The Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY

-The White Room, Bridgehampton, NY  

-Von Liebig Art Center, Naples, FL. 2019

-Watergate Gallery, Washington, DC  

-Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC, 2003 – present

Museums

-The Museum of Art,  DeLand, FL. (permanent collection) 2018

-Polk Museum, Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL (permanent collection) 2017

-Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Naples, FL (permanent collection). 2018

-“WOMEN OF STEEL, MEN OF CLOTH,” Suffolk Museum, Suffolk, VA

-The Dishman Art Museum, Lamar University, Beaumont, TX 

- National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, benefit exhibition

Collections Include:  

-Accenture, Washinton, DC

-2M Street Redevelopment, LLC

-AdvantEdge Business Centers, Washington, DC 

-Bean Kinney Korman, Arlington, VA

-Crowell and Moring, LLP, Washington, DC 

-Eagle Bank, Bethesda, MD

-Equinox, Washington, DC

-Equity Residential Partners, Arlington, VA

-F F & E Logistics, Beltsville, MD

-HITT Contracting, Inc, Falls Church, VA

-Holder Construction Group, Herndon, VA 

-ING/Clarion, Chevy Chase Pavilion, Chevy Chase, MD 

-ING/Clarion, Tysons Corner, VA

-KSI, Reston, VA

-Maslow Media Group, Washington, DC

-Mercy Medical Center, Grand Rapids, IA

-Pierce Atwood, Washington, DC

-Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, New York, NY

-Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, Washington, DC

-Venable, LLP, Washington, DC

Commissions:  

-Acme Packet (now Oracle), Bedford, MA

-Interculture Art Inc., Tokyo, Japan      

-Kaiser Permanente, Baltimore, MD 

-MedImmune, Gaithersburg, MD (triptych: 48” x 180”)  

-National Association of Home Builders, Washington, DC.  Mural:  576” x 26” 

-JBG Smith. National Landing, VA.  2021

-Ozma, Washington, DC 2024

Reviews And Publications

-Mark Jenkins, The Washington Post.  In the Galleries:  Atypical Techniques and Materials Yield Dynamic Images.  June 16, 2023.  

-Phil Lederer, SRQ Magazine, “Joan Konkel Marries Art and Optics at 530 Burns.”    

 December 9, 2016. 

-Mark Jenkins, The Washington Post, Art & Style, "Sculpture gives a nod to nature," 

 November 30, 2014, p. E8.  

-The Washington Post, Style Section, “ Galleries: ‘Alchemical Vessels’, May 9, 2014.

-Mark Jenkins, The Washington Post. “Galleries.” August 25, 2013.

-Brooks Robards, MV Times, “Landscapes of color glow at Gould Gallery.” August 8,

  2013, p C11.

-Brooks Robards, MV Times, “Six Abstract Artists at Louisa Gould.” August 16, 2012,

  pp C11, C13.

-Jim Magner, Hill Rag, “Artist Portrait: Joan Konkel.” February 2012, pp 100-101.

-E. Ashley Rooney, 100 Artists of the Mid-Atlantic, 2011, Schiffer, pp. 192-193. 

-Mark Jenkins, The Washington Post, Lifestyle, “Industrial-age skills and sensibilities 

 take center stage in ‘Shining Stars’, October 27, 2011.

-Emily Lyons, Washington Spaces, "A Moveable Feast for the Eyes, Joan Konkel's 

 Interactive Low-Relief Sculptures". Spring 2008 .p. 32.

- Anne Lee, E. Ashley Rooney, "Artistry in Fiber, Vol., 1: Wall Art.". Schiffer

-Trish Donnally. Washington Spaces, “Manhattan Transfer.” Spring 2007. 

–American   Art Collector. April 2006 Edition.  Pp 132, 134.

-Debora Martin. Philadelphia Gallery Guide. "Gallery Siano. METALLURGY (Joan

 Konkel)." Nov. 4-26, 2005.

Awards and Honors

-Fellowship. The National Endowment for The Arts, Washington, DC

- Annie Albers Designer Award, presented at the Renwick Gallery of Art, Washington, DC  

-Honorable Mention. International Dishman Competition. Dishman Art Museum,

 Lamar University, Beaumont, TX

-Nancy Frankel Award for Art..  Washington, DC. 2024

Education

-MFA, Sculpture, George Washington University, Washington, DC

-Studies, The Corcoran School of Art, Washington, DC

-MA, BFA, San Francisco College for Women at Lone Mountain, San Francisco, CA