Graceann Warn
Graceann Warn
Artist Statement
I paint and I construct.
Both my paintings and assemblages use the metaphor of excavation.
My formal education in landscape architecture and classical archaeology provides structure to artistic flights of fancy that always seem to revolve around some form of revelation:
The attempt to unearth an object or solve a mystery.
Uncovering/Covering.
Leaving a Trace,
a Vestige,
a Palimpsest.
Both my paintings and assemblages use the metaphor of excavation.
My formal education in landscape architecture and classical archaeology provides structure to artistic flights of fancy that always seem to revolve around some form of revelation:
The attempt to unearth an object or solve a mystery.
Uncovering/Covering.
Leaving a Trace,
a Vestige,
a Palimpsest.
Bio
Although Graceann’s academic background is in urban design and classical archaeology, she decided to take a leap of faith in 1985 to become a full time artist. She started out as a painter but throughout the 90’s became known for her assemblages.
In the last ten years she has returned to painting using oils and encaustic. The present work reflects the structural logic of her architectural beginnings as well as her abiding interest in archaeology. The paintings are comprised of multiple layers of encaustic and paper creating a sense of depth. Surfaces are distressed, drawn upon and marked not unlike the ancient walls that inspire her. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is in the collections of Yale University, US Embassies in Nairobi and Sarajevo, Pew Charitable Trusts and many others.
Ann Arbor, MI