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Artist information:
Shelly Klein
Grand Rapids, MI
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Shelly Klein is showing at:
UICA UICA
41 Sheldon Boulevard SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Shelly Klein
Artist bio: The sometime strange, always interesting characters that populate Shelly Klein’s fine art and embroidered product line (sold under the k studio label in boutiques across the U.S. and online at kstudiohome.com) reflect the artist’s sensitivity to the fragile, sometimes random ties that connect us to one another.

A resident of Grand Rapids, Mich., Klein is a 1994 graduate of Kendall College of Art & Design. Her fine art is represented locally by Lafontsee Galleries. She has been a member of the Visual Arts Committee at the UICA since 2003.

Since launching k studio in 2004, Klein’s work has been recognized by numerous national publications including The New York Times, I.D., and Real Simple. In 2006 she created a custom textile design as a commission for Herman Miller, Inc. to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. She also recently completed a permanent 600 sq. ft. installation of her artwork in the lobby of The Affinia Shelburne Hotel in Manhattan.
Artist statement: Making art, for me, begins with self examination and reflection. From there it materializes into something like a short story. It is a way to test different scenarios to see how they play out.

I am interested in loneliness. I want to try to get closer to understanding our need to connect with other people. I am curious about the criteria we use to choose our companions and the level to which we are cognizant of these criteria. I wonder if we are evolved enough to see past our instinct to seek beauty and strength, but I fear we are not.

By highlighting misfits, freaks, and crybabies as characters I explore relationships visually and hope to gain and share insight about human nature. My goal is to connect with other people about connecting with other people.
About the work:
Title: Untitled

Art form: 2-D

Medium: textile

Year created: Work not created yet

Description of work: For Art Prize I plan to create a site-specific work that responds to the dimensions and characteristics of the venue I connect with. I am looking for a large set of windows.

For windows: I plan to create a series of stretched textile scrims that will incorporate embroidery and appliqué along with vinyl decals applied to the glass. This piece will consist of multiple layers and will be able to be viewed from inside or out. I’ve included a drawing of how this might look if installed in space 13 at the UICA. Please note that this is line art only. The actual piece would incorporate texture and some color.

Work statement: A specific type of loneliness occurs when someone is surrounded by people. A large-scale public work of art provides a unique opportunity for me to explore this type of loneliness. With this piece, I intend to demonstrate the difference between having people nearby and having people close, between mere proximity and actual connection with people.
Technical details:
Work width: n/a
Work height: n/a
Work depth: n/a
Required venue ceiling: n/a
Required venue door height: n/a
Required venue door width: n/a
Required wall linear footage: n/a
Required venue square footage: n/a
Additional considerations:
Audio/video needed: No
Electrical needed: No
Lighting needed: Yes
Internet access needed: No
Ground floor access needed: No
Indoor space needed: Yes
Outdoor space needed: Yes

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