Emily Van Engel

ARTIST STATEMENT

My work explores what it might take, look like, or feel like to shift our behavior to be environmentally sustainable. I incorporate industrial imagery, mostly of oil refineries and resource extraction, because I want to be specific and transparent about the extraction, pollution and human decision-making that has led to large-scale global environmental degradation thus far. Working in glass allows me to convey depth and transparency on this topic, and the heat and pressure inherent to printmaking in kilnformed glass speaks to the formation of fossil fuels.

There is an immediacy in the work that relates to a call to action on addressing climate change and for bringing balance to our relationship with our environment. I see opportunities for change in how we share resources and structure ourselves socially and economically for a more caring, healthier and sustainable existence. We are connected to each other and to our planet.

ARTIST BACKGROUND Born Ridgewood, New Jersey Currently Oakland,

Education/Training 2019 M.F.A. candidate - pictorial art, San Jose State University, California 2012 B.F.A. Painting, California College of the Arts, , California 2010 Graphic Design Certificate, Academy of Art University, San Francisco, California 2001 B.A. Economics & French Studies, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut

Professional Experience 2017 Art Instructor, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California (from 2015) Public Art Advisory Committee, Alameda County Arts Commission, Oakland, California (from 2014) Teaching Associate, San Jose State University, San Jose, California Teaching Assistant for Erik Friedman, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA

2016 Open Studio Coordinator, Strand Theater Studios, Oakland, California 2016 Art Instructor, The Art Room, Lafayette, California (from 2013) 2016 Artist-in-residence, Bullseye Resource Center Bay Area, Emeryville, California 2015 Ignite Artist, East Bay Open Studios, Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, California 2013 Youth Art Education Intern, Root Division, San Francisco, California

Selected Exhibitions 2017 In Residence, Bullseye Resource Center Bay Area Gallery, Emeryville, California 2017 Environmental Issues, San Jose State University, California

2017 Reclaiming Earth, San Francisco Public Library, California 2017 Emerge/Evolve 2016, Bullseye Projects, Portland, Oregon 2017 Bordering Abstraction, Artisana: Functional Art, San Francisco, California 2017 The Teacher is Artist, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, California 2017 The Sounds of What We Cannot See, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 2016 Living with Wires, Angel Cakes, Oakland, California 2015 Mircrocosmos, Gallery 621, Benicia, California 2014 Transforming, Arrivederci Cafe, San Rafael, California 2014 Awaken with Me, Awaken Cafe, Oakland, California 2014 The Shadow Side of Fossil Fuels, Arrivederci Cafe, San Rafael, California 2014 The City as I See It, The Gallery at The Watershed, Eugene, Oregon 2014 Winter Salon, Klein Gallery, Lafayette, California 2013 The Shadow Side of Power, Urban Legend Cellars Gallery, Oakland, California 2013 Coming Up Color, Root Division, San Francisco 2013 Transport: Where We Go From Here, Pro Arts Gallery, Oakland, California 2013 Intentions, Ajuda Day Spa, Oakland, California 2013 Four Way Mirror, Urban Legend Cellars Gallery, Oakland, California 2013 Prickly Point, Klein Gallery, Lafayette, California 2013 Oakland Cranes, Arizmendi Bakery, San Francisco, California 2012 Oakland Moments, Urban Legend Cellars Gallery, Oakland, California 2012 Sequential Relations, Hatch Gallery, Oakland, California 2012 imPORTance, California College of the Arts, San Francisco 2011 30.40.50.60 Four Women Painters, California College of the Arts, San Francisco 2011 Symbiosis: Integrating Art and Science, Classic Car West Gallery, Oakland, California

Selected Publications 2015 Shapiro, Lauren. “How We Create a Career: Painter.” She’s Poised, 3 Jun. 2015. Web. 16 Dec 2015