Artist Statement
Using symbolism, figuration, and abundant details in my paintings and illustrations, I focus on creating surreal narratives involving combinations of plants, animals, and objects in the natural world. These depictions of imaginarily mutated organisms covered in fungi, spiderwebs, insects, and leafy vines are portrayed as individual microcosms existing in liminal-type spaces. The subject matter for each piece is inspired by my experiences and research of the environment, learning about the surreal qualities of species of plants and animals, and my enthusiasm to share that information with others. The composition with this material emanates from a desire to express personal sentiments - such as mixtures of anxiety and excitement -which are often shared among us, yet are more complex and variable than language alone can convey. I invite viewers to participate in the storytelling as they discover hidden details, ironies, and tensions woven into these small worlds of interacting objects. Through our narratives I hope we can share our perceptions, broaden our curiosity about the world, and exchange information that may lead to new problem solving and mindfulness.
Bio
Maria Uhase is an oil painter and illustrator living and working in Northeast Ohio. She completed a BA Studio Emphasis with a Minor in Painting and a Minor in Drawing from the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron (OH) in 2019. She creates surreal narratives involving combinations of plants, animals, and objects in the natural world. Much of the inspiration for her art comes from her daily experiences of the nature surrounding her home in the woods, travelling often to explore new environments, through her amateur research in various sciences, and learning from the people she knows and meets. She hopes to encourage people to form connections with each other founded in genuine altruism, empathy, and acceptance as they produce individual narratives in relation to her work, and as they discover the commonalities between them.
CV
Education:
2015-2019 BA-Studio Emphasis, Minor in Painting, Minor in Drawing, Magna Cum Laude,
Myers School of Art, Honors College, The University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Solo Exhibitions:
Sep 2023 The Last Garden, White Rabbit Galleries, Barberton (OH)
Aug 2022 Ethereal Effigies, Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center, Kent (OH)
Aug 2020 Maria Uhase, Manic on Main Gallery, Wadsworth (OH)
May 2019 Desciscendum, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Mar 2019 The Basics of Horticulture, Bath Nature Preserve, Akron (OH)
Nov 2018 The Basics of Horticulture Honors Thesis, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Group Exhibitions:
2023 It's an Honor to Be Here: Ohio Nature Artists in Their Natural State, Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, Lancaster (OH)
Exquisite Creatures, Troppus Projects Gallery, Kent (OH)
Bazaarbeque Vol. 10, KINK Contemporary Gallery, Cleveland (OH)
Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
2022 Resident Group Show, WMCI Open AIR Program, Gallery 79, Missoula (MT)
EARTH: Our One and Only, Doubting Thomas Gallery, Cleveland (OH)
Artists of Rubber City 33rd Annual Juried Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
2022 Mutual Realms, KINK Contemporary, Cleveland (OH)
Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
Sketchbook Creative - Casual Creations, FJKluth Art Gallery, Kent (OH)
Cabinet of Curiosities: Natural History Mysteries, Institute for Human Science and Culture, Akron (OH)
Surreal by Nature, Akron Soul Train Gallery, Akron (OH)
2021 Groundhog Show, The Warehouse, Akron (OH)
2020 Creativity in a Crisis, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
She, Her, Hers, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Boschian: Beautifully Bizarre, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Artists of Wadsworth, Manic on Main Gallery, Wadsworth (OH)
2019 Poe’s Garden, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Bounce Innovation Hub Grand Opening, Avant Garden, Akron (OH)
E.J. Thomas Display, E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, Akron (OH)
Spring Advanced Painting Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Artists of Rubber City 29th Annual Juried Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
83rd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2nd Annual Myers Sketchbook Show, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2018 Fall Intermediate Painting Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Akron Painting and Drawing League 1st Annual Curated Show, Tusc Gallery, Barberton (OH)
82nd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Scholarship Show, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
1st Annual Myers Sketchbook Show, Projects Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2017 Fall Ceramics Show, Projects Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
81st Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Scholarship Show, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2016 Bio-Geo Print Show, Honors College, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Scholarship Show, Emily Davis Gallery, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Artist Residencies:
Oct 2022 WMCI Open AIR MT, Flathead Lake Biological Station, Polson (MT)
Nov 2021 Akron Soul Train, Akron (OH)
Selected Commissions:
Aug 2023 Ensemble Mural, LAND Studio, Cleveland Public Library - Woodland Branch, Cleveland (OH)
Jun 2021 Fly Trap Painting, University of Akron President’s Office, Akron (OH)
Dec 2020 Holiday Nutcracker Design, Curated Storefront, Akron (OH)
May 2018 Pillars of Character Mural, Lincoln Elementary School, Wadsworth (OH)
Jun 2017 Map of the World Mural, Canton Country Day School, Canton (OH)
Awards, Press & Interviews:
2022 Featured Artist, Akron Beacon Journal: Article
2020 Featured Artist, Akron Beacon Journal: Article
Featured Artist, The Devil Strip Magazine: Article
Honorable Mention Award, She, Her, Hers Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Award, Boschian: Beautifully Bizarre Exhibition, Summit Artspace, Akron (OH)
2018 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Gillette Study of the Arts Abroad Scholarship (Paris), Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Outstanding Student Gillette Academic Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
Third Place Award, 82nd Annual Student Juried Exhibition, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2017 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Studio Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2016 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honorable Mention Studio Scholarship, Myers School of Art, Akron (OH)
2015 Scholarship for Excellence, University of Akron, Akron (OH)
Honors Scholarship, University of Akron, Akron (OH)