Julie Ross
Artist Statement
In 2016, I spent weeks at the bedside of a dear friend who was dying of lung cancer in hospice care. In patients with emphysema in particular, the labored breathing in the final stages is often described as a distinct “death rattle” signaling the final breaths of life. I’ve known many friends who have died from lung cancer and I’ve had the privilege to be by their side. This piece is a reminder of the impermanence of life and a play on the traditional ceramic rattles created from clay (created as toys for children in many indigenous cultures).
This ceramic “death rattle” is hand-built and contains a tiny sculpted skull inside, carefully placed there when the tiny skull was bone-dry. The larger piece was sealed before firing so that it rattles when shaken. If broken, the tiny skull will be revealed and will rattle no more.
CV
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2004 Wherever I Go, There I Am, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX Self Portraits, Project Room, Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
2002 BiPolaroid Disorder, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010 Metroplex Photography Show, Texas Christian University Gallery, Ft. Worth, TX
2009 The Group Show, Studio B Gallery, Alys Beach, FL
2008 Reflections on Human Rights in Argentina, Doolin Gallery, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2008 Ceramics, Etc., Doolin Gallery, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2007 The Trunk Show, Owen Arts Center: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2006 2006 Instant Gratification: Exploration of the Polaroid, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX
2004 The Home & Garden Show; Eight Artists Working in Texas, Fotofest Gallery, Houston, TX
Island of Lost Toys, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
New Work by Gallery Artists, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
The Strange and Fickle Institution… Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2003 New Photographs: Meredith Eberle, Colleen Graves, and Julie Ross, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2002 I've Never Seen So Many Happy People, Self Portraits by 14 Gallery Artists, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2017 Chaos! Group Show, Ro2 Gallery, Dallas TX
Artist Statement
In 2016, I spent weeks at the bedside of a dear friend who was dying of lung cancer in hospice care. In patients with emphysema in particular, the labored breathing in the final stages is often described as a distinct “death rattle” signaling the final breaths of life. I’ve known many friends who have died from lung cancer and I’ve had the privilege to be by their side. This piece is a reminder of the impermanence of life and a play on the traditional ceramic rattles created from clay (created as toys for children in many indigenous cultures).
This ceramic “death rattle” is hand-built and contains a tiny sculpted skull inside, carefully placed there when the tiny skull was bone-dry. The larger piece was sealed before firing so that it rattles when shaken. If broken, the tiny skull will be revealed and will rattle no more.
CV
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2004 Wherever I Go, There I Am, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX Self Portraits, Project Room, Conduit Gallery, Dallas, TX
2002 BiPolaroid Disorder, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010 Metroplex Photography Show, Texas Christian University Gallery, Ft. Worth, TX
2009 The Group Show, Studio B Gallery, Alys Beach, FL
2008 Reflections on Human Rights in Argentina, Doolin Gallery, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2008 Ceramics, Etc., Doolin Gallery, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2007 The Trunk Show, Owen Arts Center: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
2006 2006 Instant Gratification: Exploration of the Polaroid, Arlington Museum of Art, Arlington, TX
2004 The Home & Garden Show; Eight Artists Working in Texas, Fotofest Gallery, Houston, TX
Island of Lost Toys, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
New Work by Gallery Artists, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
The Strange and Fickle Institution… Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2003 New Photographs: Meredith Eberle, Colleen Graves, and Julie Ross, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2002 I've Never Seen So Many Happy People, Self Portraits by 14 Gallery Artists, Gray Matters Gallery, Dallas, TX
2017 Chaos! Group Show, Ro2 Gallery, Dallas TX
