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Monica Petty Aiello
"The cosmos is within us.
We are made of star stuff.
We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.". .
~ Carl Sagan
Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has been fascinated with the heavens. What lies beyond our own tenuous atmosphere has inspired culture and religion; awe and fear. Our fundamental curiosity as human beings manifests itself in a need to explore with the hope of providing purpose for our very existence.
Painting is my personal exploration -a journey through processes, themes and materials. Over the past few years, that voyage has led me back to my childhood love of science, particularly that of astronomy. Largely inspired by planetary science, my work explores celestial and geological forms while comparing their relationship to our own origins, evolution and life itself. At first glance, my work may appear to be purely abstract; however, upon closer inspection, one finds depictions of specific subjects -the pieces are actually topographical landscapes of the planets and moons within our solar system. My most recent series, The Medici Moons, interprets the surfaces of Jupiter's four major moons, the Galilean satellites.
Planetary scientists often reference the need to study the cosmos in order to gain a better understanding of ourselves. I also ponder these unearthly landscapes in reference to our own humanity. From Venus to Europa, I intensely study the terrain, morphology, chemistry, and geological history. Philosophically, I am struck by how such foreign and seemingly lifeless places relate to the life that thrives on our own fragile home, Earth. Visually, I am captivated by the commonality of forms within our universe -shapes which seem as easily viewable beneath a microscope as through a telescope. These universal forms, which I term Cosmorphology, form a visual vocabulary which repeats throughout my work.
The planetary terrain, celestial forms and geological processes I find so fascinating actually serve as inspiration for how my work is physically made. The pieces are highly constructed and sculptural -built with numerous layers of texture, media and color applied like strata to slowly build the deep surfaces. Sensual, watery films of varnish and ink are interwoven between textural layers of fiber, glass, wood, stone, and paper. Thinly applied veils of iridescent inks are intermixed to create surfaces which alter with the light and viewing angle. The resulting work resembles thick, color-infused slabs of shiny resin encasing a tapestry of tactile nuance -a view through the looking-glass at an untouchable realm.
Proper Care Instructions (All media is acrylic, gel, ink, fiber on wooden panel)
Paintings are archival and will not crack, yellow, or fade. However, because of the acrylic products used, the surfaces are very delicate and can scratch or mar easily. Do not wrap surface with ANY material including paper, plastic, card board, blankets or bubble wrap. Store and transport with custom wooden corners provided. Ship floating in crate only with piece screwed into crate from the back. DO NOT USE ANY PACKING MATERIALS TOUCHING THE FRONT OF THE PIECE. If corners stick when removing, tap with hammer. To clean, wipe surface with soft cotton cloth and distilled water.
EDUCATION
1992 University of Texas at Austin, Bachelors of Business Administrations, Honors Program
1998 Colorado Institute of Art, Fine Art Studies
1999-2000 Metropolitan State College of Denver, Fine Arts Studies
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2007
Walker Fine Art, OmniModus, Monica Aiello & Tyler Aiello; Denver, Colorado
2006
Aspen Art Museum, 2006 Colorado Biennial; Aspen Colorado
Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Two Worlds, Tyler & Monica Aiello; Denver, Colorado
2005
Arvada Center for Art & Humanities: Annual Art Market; Arvada, Colorado
Space Gallery, Two Worlds, Two-Person Show; Denver, Colorado
44T Artspace, Group Show; Denver, Colorado
Expressions in Fine Art; Santa Fe, New Mexico
44T Artspace, Chalk Board – Exhibition & Master Class; Denver, Colorado
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art: Avant Garden; Boulder, Colorado
Studio Aiello: Come Together: Gallery Group Show; Denver, Colorado
2004
Arvada Center for Art & Humanities: Annual Art Market; Arvada, Colorado
44T Artspace: Odyssey, Solo Show; Denver, Colorado
2003
Andenken Gallery: 4th Annual Group Show, Invitational; Denver, Colorado
Space Gallery: Requiem, Two-Person Show; Denver, Colorado
44TArtspace: WET Juried Show; Denver, Colorado
Andenken Gallery: LadyFest Out West; Denver, Colorado
Edge Gallery: EDGEucation Invitational; Denver, Colorado
44T Artspace: Canto, Solo Show; Denver, Colorado
2002
Studio Aiello: Untitled, Group Show; Denver, Colorado
Space Gallery: Vista; Denver, Colorado
Metro Frame Works: HOT Juried Show; Denver, Colorado
Space Gallery: Movements Juried Show; Denver, Colorado
1999
Edge Gallery: Juried Group Show; Denver, Colorado
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2002-Present Owner, TarFactory Atelier; Fine Art, Design, & Fabrication Studio; Denver-Colorado
2002-2005 Owner: Studio Aiello, Award Winning Gallery & Studio Facility; Denver, Colorado
1998-2002 Freelance Graphic Design, Illustration & Fabrication; Denver, Colorado
1997-1998 PR Consultant: Matthew Barney’s Cremaster 5 CD Soundtrack; Denver, Colorado
1996-1998 BMG Entertainment: Press & Promotion Manager, Jazz & World Music; New York, New York
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITES
2006
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art – Live Auction Artist/Donor
Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design – Visiting Artist
Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Lecture: Space Art Walk & Talk
In conjunction with Tyler Aiello and Steve Lee, PhD. Curator of Planetary Science
Metropolitan State College of Denver - Lecturer, Guest Artist
2002-2006 Denver Art Dealers Association - Executive Committee Member 2004-2005
2005
Colorado State University – Lecturer, Guest Artist
Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver: Panel Moderator, The Aesthetic Picnic
University of Colorado, Boulder: A Week of Technical Workshops at the TarFactory
In Conjunction with the University of Colorado’s Conference on Art & Mathematics
Steele Elementary: Host – Student Art Club Show and Benefit
University of Colorado, Boulder – Speaker: Professional Practice Seminar
Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art – Advisor: Portfolio Review Day
Pod Gallery - Art Symposium Lecturer: Creating a Powerful Portfolio
Steele Elementary - Guest Teacher: Kids Art Day, Solar System Mobile for Kindergarten Class
California College of the Arts – Host: Recruiting Day for High School Students
2004
University of Colorado at Denver – Speaker: Senior Seminar
Metropolitan State College of Denver - Juror,: Art Guild Exhibition
California College of the Arts – Host: Recruiting Day for High School Students
Steele Elementary - Guest Teacher: Kids Art Day, Soap Making for Early Childhood Education
2003
University of Colorado at Denver - Speaker: Senior Seminar
PUBLISHED WORK
MTV The Real World, Work selected for Denver Real World House
Denim Music: CD Cover Artwork; Ron Velosky – Trio/Quartet
Vail Jazz Foundation: Festival Artwork and Poster for the 1999, 2000, & 2001 Vail Jazz Festival
SELECED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2007
Westword: Michael Paglia, Moons and Metal; 5.17.07
Rocky Mountain News: Mary Voelz Chandler, Omni Modus; 5.4.07
KUVO 89.3FM, Radio Interview with Hillary de Pollo, 4.13.07
Denver Post: Two Trendy Takes on Downtown Design, Room Section, 4.26.07
2006
Vail Daily/The Aspen Times: Stewart Oksenhorn, Aspen biennial embraces Colorado artists; 10.24.06
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Aspen biennial takes artful turn; 10.19.06
Aspen Daily News: Damien Williamson, Top Colorado Artists; 10.5.06
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Artists draw from the cosmos for inspiration; 3.17.06
Westword: Amber Taufen, Space Cases: DMNS and the Aiellos are a match made in the heavens; 2.23.06
2005
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Denver’s loss and the pains of not growing, Studio Aiello; 12.23.05
Westword: Award – The Best of Westword Top Solo Show of 2004, Virginia Maitland, Studio Aiello
2004
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, The Best of artist Maitland?; 12.17.04
Rocky Mountain News: Mary Volez Chandler, Colorful past unfolds in Windows; 12.29.04
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Top 10 Art Shows of 2004, FIBERish at Studio Aiello; 12.26.04
Westword: Award – The Best of Westword “Top Multi-Media Show, Doris Laughton at Studio Aiello”
Rocky Mountain News: Mary Volez Chandler, A biennial that works; 7.17.04
Denver Post: Kyle MacMillan, Ingenuity’s in the weave, Studio Aiello; 7.16.04
ArtNews: City Focus, Denver; 12.04
2003
Rocky Mountain News: Award - Top of the Rocky “Top New Alternative Space, Studio Aiello”
Westword: Award – The Best of Westword “Top New Gallery 2002, Studio Aiello; 3.27.03
Rocky Mountain News: Mary Volez Chandler, Monica Aiello Review; 6.6.03
Westword: Michael Paglia, Now and Then: While Studio Aiello presents new works…; 1.9.03
North Denver Tribune: Monica Petty Aiello presents solo show at Metro Frame Works; 1.9.04
2002 Rocky Mountain News: Mary Volez Chandler, Review; 10.18.02
Westword: Michael Paglia, Up, Up and Away: The new Studio Aiello is hoping to soar; 9.19.05
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Daniel Libeskind Museum Residences; Denver, CO
Premier Lofts; Denver, CO
BMG Entertainment; New York, New York
Dr. Peter Vargas; Rose Medical Center; Denver, CO
Parsons Heizer Paul LLP; Denver, CO
Courtney & Karen Lord; Aspen, CO
Antonio & Jas Ciardella; Denver, CO
Susan Keily; Denver, CO
Paul & Clarissa King; Boulder, CO
Sue Cannon; Lakewood, CO
Susan & John Madden; Denver, CO
Sue & Peter Hamil; Denver, CO
Marty & Kay Chernoff; Denver, CO
Jennifer Cook; Denver, CO
Anna Dvorak & Christopher Kopka; Minneapolis, MN
Michael Bird; Denver, CO
Kirsten Stengel & Larry Carlisle; Denver, CO
Mark Henniger; Information Ergonomics; Denver, CO
Larry Boroff; Denver, CO
Jennifer Pollock; Denver, CO
Tim Terrell & Dana Hamilton; Amsterdam,
Chris Watney & Chuck Sullivan; Denver, CO
Lee Harward; Denver, CO
Dave Velasquez; Oakland, CA
Thomas Lineberry; Oakland, CA
Kyle & Andra Zeppelin; Denver, CO
Joanne Meyer; Denver, CO
Mike Thompson; Denver, CO
Daphna Locker & Julie Schulman; New York, NY
Kathy Coghill & Peter Kray; Santa Fe, NM
Paula Morris & Tom Moody; New Orleans, LA
Howard & Cathy Stone; Vail, CO
David Kuehn & Alan Trugman; Cape Cod, MA
Rebecca Thayer; Seattle, WA
Mignon Harris; Denver, CO
Julie Preger; Denver, CO
Sandy Ceas; San Francisco, CA
Clare Cornell; Denver, CO
Mike McClung & Warren Campbell; Denver, CO
Patti & Dale Howell; Denver, CO
Andy Sumners; Denver, CO
Lauren Schwartz; Seatle, WA
Wade Eldridge; Denver, CO
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