Dana O'Malley, "Utopian Fantasies"

Artist Statement

I collect materials from my personal waste stream to build paintings that explore the complicated juncture between nourishment and consumption. My studio practice allows me to respond to my daily capitalist grind by sorting through information that I consume and the footprint I leave behind (i.e. the coffee I gulped, the mail I shredded, the Instagram feed I scrolled, etc.). This process is an opportunity to digest and meditate on my contributions to systemic cultural and planetary harm. I make substrates out of recycled materials and paper pulp that incorporate inclusions such as plastic bags, laundry lint, and beach sand. Often, I find myself searching for future timelines in the soil beneath my feet. Through the excavating, staining, covering, and building of these materials, I find hope.

Artist Bio

Dana O'Malley is an artist investigating the complicated juncture between nourishment and consumption. Using materials from her personal waste stream, she builds paintings and drawings. O’Malley lives in Philadelphia, and has shown her work in hallways and galleries throughout the United States including the Vine Arts Center (MN), Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (IA), Public Space One (IA), and Annmarie Sculpture Garden (MD). O’Malley holds an M.F.A in Painting from the University of Iowa (2016), a B.F.A in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design (2009), and was awarded the Mildred Pelzer Lynch Fellowship at the University of Iowa (2015-2016), an Arts Across Borders Grant (2016), and a North Carolina Arts Council Grant (2020).

Utopian Fantasies, photo transfer, acrylic, plastic bags, and paper pulp, 9" x 12", 2020, $200.