Mary Jo Karimnia
Mary Jo Karimnia, "Penguin", 2015
Artist Statement:
I am committed to promoting and uplifting my local art scene.
Personally, I work across media often combining mosaic, drawing and painting techniques in a deliberately playful way. Experimentation is a large part of my practice, as is drawing, and I use both ancient and up-to-date materials and techniques, pairing things like charcoal and colored glass or sparkly grout and toys. I have large-scale mosaic work at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and My
Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Garden and my work is carried locally by Lisa Kurts Gallery.
My art practice includes producing my own work, teaching, curating, writing, designing and volunteering. I have a degree in Fine Arts from Stephen F Austin State University in Texas and have studied and traveled internationally in both Europe and South America.
I am a self-starter and strive for a wide variety of art experiences. These comprise of activities on both the production and business ends of the art spectrum including: Large-scale Mosaic Production of both my own design and others; Curating, Installation and Advertising for Group and Individual Shows, Gallery Shows and Charity/Art Events; Design and Execution of Mosaic Awards; Running Booths at International Art Fairs in Miami and New York; Career and Art Management of International Bolivian Artist Keiko Gonzalez; Teaching both Children and Adults in public and private settings; Art Writing; Art Editing; Professional Framing and Gallery and Artspace Assistance.
I am committed to promoting and uplifting my local art scene.
Personally, I work across media often combining mosaic, drawing and painting techniques in a deliberately playful way. Experimentation is a large part of my practice, as is drawing, and I use both ancient and up-to-date materials and techniques, pairing things like charcoal and colored glass or sparkly grout and toys. I have large-scale mosaic work at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and My
Big Backyard at the Memphis Botanic Garden and my work is carried locally by Lisa Kurts Gallery.
My art practice includes producing my own work, teaching, curating, writing, designing and volunteering. I have a degree in Fine Arts from Stephen F Austin State University in Texas and have studied and traveled internationally in both Europe and South America.
I am a self-starter and strive for a wide variety of art experiences. These comprise of activities on both the production and business ends of the art spectrum including: Large-scale Mosaic Production of both my own design and others; Curating, Installation and Advertising for Group and Individual Shows, Gallery Shows and Charity/Art Events; Design and Execution of Mosaic Awards; Running Booths at International Art Fairs in Miami and New York; Career and Art Management of International Bolivian Artist Keiko Gonzalez; Teaching both Children and Adults in public and private settings; Art Writing; Art Editing; Professional Framing and Gallery and Artspace Assistance.
EXHIBITIONS
2016
Fold, solo museum show, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN
CHAOS 2016, RO2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
A Bad Question, a collaborative exhibition by the tART Collective and the Smoke
School of Art on-line and in Atlanta, GA
Six Points, with Mary K VanGieson, Kerri Dugan, Paula Kovarik, Jennifer Sargent and
Carrol McTyre at Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Planet Nine: Displacement, group show curated by Eric C, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Assembled, group show curated by Lester Merriweather, ArtsMemphis, Memphis, TN
2015
CHAOS 2015, RO2, Dallas, TX
Group Show, Blanco, La Paz, Bolivia
Mary Jo Karimnia: Solo Show, Blanco, La Paz, Bolivia
Free Alterations, solo exhibition, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2014
Holiday Exhibition, LRoss Gallery, Memphis, TN
Memphis Pulse: 2013 ArtsAccelerator Finalists, Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
The Art of Science, Hyde Gallery Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
Chaos 2014, RO2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
Party of Five, Glitch, Memphis, TN
Number Presents: Art of the South 2014, curated by Alice Grey Stites, VP and Museum Director of 21c Museum Hotels, Fogel Gallery, University of
Memphis, Memphis, TN
This Artwork has Cooties, curated by Elizabeth Alley, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Unchained II, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
Impossible Language with artist Meghan Vaziri, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2013
Urban Sketchers at The Sketchbook Project, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Material Anthology, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Unchained: a Memphis Art Chain Letter Exhibition, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
Overwhelming Captivation, Hyde Gallery, Memphis, TN
Hanging Participles, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Never Enough, Solo Exhibition, Material, Memphis, TN
Memphis Urban Sketchers Group Show, Askew Nixon Ferguson, Memphis, TN
CURATING
2016 Belongings II: Repurposed, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Hereabouts with Linda Pelts, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2015 Belongings, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
you + me, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2014 Unchained II, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
2013 Unchained: a Memphis Chain Letter Exhibition, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
2016
Fold, solo museum show, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, TN
CHAOS 2016, RO2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
A Bad Question, a collaborative exhibition by the tART Collective and the Smoke
School of Art on-line and in Atlanta, GA
Six Points, with Mary K VanGieson, Kerri Dugan, Paula Kovarik, Jennifer Sargent and
Carrol McTyre at Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Planet Nine: Displacement, group show curated by Eric C, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Assembled, group show curated by Lester Merriweather, ArtsMemphis, Memphis, TN
2015
CHAOS 2015, RO2, Dallas, TX
Group Show, Blanco, La Paz, Bolivia
Mary Jo Karimnia: Solo Show, Blanco, La Paz, Bolivia
Free Alterations, solo exhibition, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2014
Holiday Exhibition, LRoss Gallery, Memphis, TN
Memphis Pulse: 2013 ArtsAccelerator Finalists, Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
The Art of Science, Hyde Gallery Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
Chaos 2014, RO2 Gallery, Dallas, TX
Party of Five, Glitch, Memphis, TN
Number Presents: Art of the South 2014, curated by Alice Grey Stites, VP and Museum Director of 21c Museum Hotels, Fogel Gallery, University of
Memphis, Memphis, TN
This Artwork has Cooties, curated by Elizabeth Alley, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Unchained II, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
Impossible Language with artist Meghan Vaziri, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2013
Urban Sketchers at The Sketchbook Project, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Material Anthology, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Unchained: a Memphis Art Chain Letter Exhibition, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
Overwhelming Captivation, Hyde Gallery, Memphis, TN
Hanging Participles, Marshall Arts, Memphis, TN
Never Enough, Solo Exhibition, Material, Memphis, TN
Memphis Urban Sketchers Group Show, Askew Nixon Ferguson, Memphis, TN
CURATING
2016 Belongings II: Repurposed, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
Hereabouts with Linda Pelts, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2015 Belongings, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
you + me, Crosstown Arts, Memphis, TN
2014 Unchained II, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
2013 Unchained: a Memphis Chain Letter Exhibition, Rozelle Warehouse, Memphis, TN
