aletha noelle's artist statement
I am fascinated with what seems to be a basic human need for ornamentation. Color and pattern have become a cultural demand and sign of civilization. There is, and historically has been, an aesthetic undercurrent in society to adorn everyday objects and environments with decorative elements that do not contribute to the objects practical or symbolic function. Often, objects and images are intended to seduce their viewer based on purely aesthetic appeal. My paintings reconstruct color, pattern and forms based on consumer products into kaleidoscopic environments. My paintings exploit a visual language that is used to decorate our homes and literally worn on our sleeve. In borrowing patterns from visual culture the viewer is provided with a sense of familiarity when viewing the work. As an artist, I take what already exists in the world and reconfigure it, in order to reflect our current place and time. As a culture we make very specific aesthetic demands on all objects and environments. In this new body of work the goal for my paintings is to investigate and critically examine the relationships between: art, popular culture, commerce, the commodity, and decoration. It is my hope that these paintings will incite a dialogue that levels the relationship between these many ideas and our systems of assigning value. These densely layered, highly decorative canvases are a celebration of life and endless possibility.
aletha noelle's exhibitions and shows
2008 Aletha Noelle, The Perfect Pear Gallery, Chicago, IL.
Playful Objects, Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI
2007 C-POPpertunity, C-Pop Gallery, Detroit, MI.
Western Michigan Regional Juried Exhibition, Kalamazoo, MI.
2006 Art Dart, Water Street Gallery, Saugatuck, MI.
Aletha Noelle, Phillip Anthony, Grand Rapids, MI.
Saugatuck Talks, Water Street Gallery, Saugatuck, MI.
Aletha Noelle Israels, Gebben Gray Gallery, Fennville, MI.
MFA Thesis Exhibition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.
Exchange Exhibition, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
2005 Sparkles and Storefronts, Moreau Art Galleries, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.
Big 10 College Exhibition, Big 10 Headquarters, Chicago, IL.
Art in the Capital, Lansing State Capital Senate Building, Lansing, MI.
2004 It Started with an Idea, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI.
Graduate Exhibition, Delta College University Center, MI.
See and Be, Scene Metrospace East Lansing, MI.
2003 7 artists 1.5 Ideas, Mott Gallery Flint, MI.
Unusual Suspects, BFA Solo Show, Moreau Art Galleries, SMC, Notre Dame, IN. *Honors
2002 Cabaret Xcen*trick, South Bend Regional Museum of Art, South Bend, IN.
Untitled Juried Show, Moreau Art Galleries, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. *First
2001 Cabaret Xcen*trick, South Bend Regional Museum of Art, South Bend, IN
Untitled Juried Show, Moreau Art Galleries, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. *Honors
2000 Untitled Juried Show, Moreau Art Galleries, St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. *Honors
Women’s Month Exhibition, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN.
