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Artist Statement
Each piece I make is evidence of the passage of time.
All of my work is process-based abstraction. Everything is embroidered
by hand. To begin I transfer freehand line drawing onto pieces of
fabric and begin stitching along the outer edge of the form. I keep
sewing in a measured pattern, forming circles within circles, until
I stop at the center of a shape or complete a line. The density
and order of these marks form intricate patterns that interact with
light and shadow. By design I center irregular forms within symmetrical
space to create a visual tension, referring to the idea of perfection
versus imperfection.
As I investigate the world around me I search for
confirmation of the intricate balance and order of nature. I use
embroidery to emulate organic subjects. I re-interpret their most
essential elements, such as color and texture, with fabric and thread.
The repetition of my technique allows me to experience a sense of
calm and clarity as I sew. Absorbed in the production, I find myself
gradually, methodically stripping away the context of references
to reveal the essential face of my own fascination. The finished
product reflects the intensity of my focus as I strive to create
objects of simple beauty.
e-Mail | mmcdade@saic.edu |
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Education
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Master of Fine Art,
School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL. Fiber
and Material Studies major.
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Bachelor
of Arts, Columbia College, Chicago, IL.
Film & Video major.
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Exhibitions
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| 2007 |
"Match", group show, Dubhe
Carreño Gallery, Chicago, IL
"College Art Invitational", group show, Beverly
Art Center, Chicago, IL
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| 2006 |
"Material Difference", Chicago
Cultural Center, Chicago, IL *curated by Polly Ullrich
"13th Annual Realsim Invitational" group show,
Klaudia Marr Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
"Unifying Threads" group show, Evanston Art
Center, Evanston, IL
“Perfect: a group exhibition” (tour) , Lockport Gallery
of the Illinois State Museum , Lockport, IL
"Thread Count" group show, Brook Dorsch Gallery,
Miami, FL
NOVA Art Fair, Gescheidle, Chicago, IL
“Perfect: a group exhibition” (tour) , Southern Art
Gallery of the Illinois State Museum , Whittington,
IL
"White Boys" solo show, gescheidle, Chicago, IL
"Wound Up" group show, Art Center Highland Park, IL
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| 2005 |
“Perfect: a group exhibition” (tour)
Art Museum of the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
“New Fiber”, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis,
IN
“Perfect: a group exhibition” (tour) Urban Institute
of Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, MI
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| 2004 |
“Handle
with Care”(two person show), Prater Rouse Gallery, Norfolk,
VA
"Perfect: a group exhibition", Chicago Cultural Center,
Chicago, IL.
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| 2003 |
"Threads",
Richard Levy Gallery, Albuquerque, NM.
"Open House", Bank
Gallery, LA, CA.
"Summer Show", Gallery 312, Chicago, IL.
"Guest List",
Gescheidle Gallery, Chicago,
IL
"Artwork IV", Gallery 2, The School of the Art Institute
of Chicago, IL.
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| 2002 |
"Selections
I", Spaces Gallery, Cleveland, OH.
"New Directions '02", Barrett Art
Center, Poughkeepsie, NY.
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| 2001 |
"Fluid
Interfaces", Gallery 2, The School of the Art Institute
of Chicago, IL.
"Locus", (solo), Base Space Gallery
, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago,
IL.
"The Big Show", The Dwelling Series, Chicago, IL.
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Curitorial Projects
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| 2007 |
"Girl on Guy" (group show),
Chicago, IL
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| 2007-2004 |
“Perfect: a group exhibition” (group
show), national tour
- Lockport Gallery,
Illinois State Museum, Lockport, IL.
- Southern Gallery,
Illinois State Museum, Whittington, IL.
- Fermilab Art Gallery,
Batavia, IL.
- Ar Museum of the
University of Memphis, TN
- Urban Institute
for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, MI.
- Chicago Cultural
Center, Chicago, IL.
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| 2004 |
“The Nature of Reduction” (group show),
Prater Rouse Gallery, Norfolk, VA
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Residencies
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| 2006 |
Catwalk Residency Program, Purcell &
Jim Palmer, Catwalk, NY
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Grants & Awards
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| 2004 |
Curatorial Honorarium, Chicago Cultural
Center, Visual Arts Department of the Chicago Department
of Cultural Affairs, Chicago, IL
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| 2003 |
C.A.A.P.
Grant Recipient, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs,
Chicago, IL.
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| 2002 |
Third Prize, "New Directions
'02" (group), Barrett Art Center, Poughkeepsie, NY.
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Collections
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Sally Kovler, Chicago, IL.
Jennifer Soros, NY, NY.
Jennifer Sekulic, Chicago, IL.
Jodi Navta & Ryan Schulz, Chicago, IL.
Roxie & Hilda Tremonto
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Reviews & Publications
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| 2004 |
“The Nature of Reduction” review, Catherine
Dorsey, Port Folio, Norfolk, VA, 6/1/04, p. 7
“Perfect” review, John Brunnetti, dialogue magazine,
May/June 2004 issue, p. 22
“Perfect” review, Alan Artner, Chicago Tribune, 3/19/04;
C section 7 p. 25.
“Perfect” review, Margaret Hawkins, Chicago Sun Times,
3/5/04; Lifestyle p.14
“Perfect : a group exhibition” Catalog, Marci
Rae McDade designer and producer.
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| 2003 |
New American
Paintings, issue #47, p. 86-88, August 2003
"Critic's Choice : Gallery
312 Summer Show", Chicago Reader, (section 2) 9/1/03
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| 2002 |
"Color, Details Meld
in Art" (review), Poughkeepsie Journal (Arts), 11/7/02
"Art School Offers Solid
Show" (review), Chicago SunTimes, (LifeStyle) 1/6/02
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Professional Experience
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| 1998-present |
Media
Center Manager, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago,
IL.
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| 2001-present |
Visiting
Artist Lecturer, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago,
IL.
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| 1990-95 |
Figure Model,
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL.
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| 1991-93 |
Teaching
Assistant, Film/Video Dept, Columbia College Chicago,
IL.
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