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About

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Jonathan Purdy

Born in Waterloo, IA

Lives & works in Vermillion, SD

 

I am an MFA Candidate at the University of South Dakota with an emphasis in Printmaking.  I hold a BA with an emphasis in Painting from the University of Northern Iowa.

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Purdy focuses on communication through Abstract Expressionism.

Artist Statement:

Combining water based and non-traditional serigraphy I create abstract expressionist monoprints. I use lighting and the aesthetics of digital media to create innovative sculptural pieces. The pieces hybridize the tactile nature of my tools: the mist-like removal of screen filler with a pressure washer, the playful vibrance of caran d’ache, and the layered transparency of screen ink. 

My inspiration is best summed up in a quote from Tom Waits, ““We are buried beneath the weight of information, which is being confused with knowledge; quantity is being confused with abundance and wealth with happiness.”  Utilizing the concept of printmaking’s ability to create repetition of information, I subvert that to focus on issues of truth, the redaction of truth and how the viewer must work through the noise of media to arrive at meaning.

Presentations and Demos:

  • Ideafest, USD, 2020

  • 3MT, USD, 2020 (Finalist Round)

  • 3MT, USD, 2020

  • Carolyn Swiszcz demo lab assistant, USD, 2019

  • Sarah Whorf demo lab assistant, USD, 2019

  • Ideafest, USD, 2019

  • Symposium, USD, 2019

  • MAPC Demo (splash tank) assistant, UNM, 2018

Community:

  • President of Optimists International Vermillion SD-Branch, 2019-Current  

  • Curator of Small Pieces of Mind, Online Exhibition, 2020

  • Curator of Project Ms. Assembled Reformation, John A Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2020                                                      

  • Curator of Reflections: Inspirations from NYC, Gallery 110, Vermillion SD, 2019

  • Donner to Red Dress Gala, the University of South Dakota in association with Sanford Medical, Sioux Falls SD, 2018

  • Curator of Non-Profit Art Gala, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls IA, 2016

  • President and Founder of UNI Painting Club, Cedar Falls IA, 2015-2016

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Publications

  • Defunkt Magazine, Q4 2020

  • McClain’s Catalogue, 2020

  • Ideafest ID Weeks Library Permanent Collection, 2020

  • The Volante, 2020

  • KMEG Sioux City (ABC and Fox Affiliate), 2019

  • The Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, 2016

CV

Education

2018-2020 University of South Dakota

2001-2016 University of Northern Iowa

 

Awards 

2020 - Violent and Unnecessary , Purchase Award

2020 - Social Suicide, Presidential Purchase Award

2019 - Glitch 1, Best in Show

2018 - Appropriated, Merit Award

2016 - Neo Plastic Lunch, Best in Show

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Upcoming Shows:

  • The Art of the Greatly Depressed: The John A Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, December 2020, Thesis Exhibition

  • Redacted: The Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls SD, February 2021, Solo Exhibition.

  • Illuminated Redactions: The Ragged Edge, Cedar Falls IA, June 2021, Solo Exhibition

Past Exhibitions & Festivals

  • ART: 110 Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2020, Local Exhibition.

  • Abstract My World: Tall Sequoia, Online, 2020, International Exhibition. 

  • Ordinary, No Ordinary:  Tall Sequoia, Online, 2020, International Exhibition.

  • Response: Kala, Berkeley CA, 2020, International Exhibition.

  • And the Band Played On: Toto In View Gallery, Online, International Exhibition, 2020.

  • Small Pieces of Mind: Purdy Art,  Online. International Exhibition, 2020.

  • VAAC Social Distancing Solo Exhibition: VAAC, Vermillion SD, 2020, Local Exhibition.

  • Canis Latrans: Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls SD, 2020, Local Exhibition.

  • Stillwell: John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2020, Local Exhibition. Presidential Purchase Award. 

  • Project Ms.: Assembled Reformation: John A. Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2020, Regional Exhibition.  Purchase Award.

  • Art Made in a VAACuum: (Curator and Participant) Vermillion Area Art Center, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition.

  • Dead Carpet AIGA: OLC, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition. Best in Show Award.

  • Redacted: Solo exhibition in Muenster University Center, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition. 

  • Artapalooza : Booth, Cedar Falls IA, 2019, Regional Art Fair. 

  • Looking For America: Lewis & Clark Gallery, Sioux City IA, 2019, National Exhibition. 

  • Art & Wine: JLG Architects, Sioux Falls SD, 2019, Regional Art Walk. 

  • In Case: ID Weeks Library, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition. 

  • Reflections: Inspirations from NYC:  Gallery 110, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition. 

  • (Un)told Stories: John A Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2019, Regional Exhibition. 

  • Stillwell: John A Day Gallery, Vermillion SD, 2019, Local Exhibition.   Merit Award.

  • Go West: A Collaborative Turn: University of Wyoming, Laramie WY, 2018, National Exhibition.

  • First 50: The Hearst Arts Center, Cedar Falls IA, 2017, Local Exhibition.

  • Visceral: Dean’s Triangle, Cedar Falls IA, 2017, Local Exhibition

  • UNI Non-Profit Art Gala:  ITTC, Cedar Falls IA, 2016, Local Exhibition. People's Choice  Award.

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