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Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kaitlin Smrcina lives and works in Chicago, Illinois. She received her BFA in December 2015 from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago focusing in Ceramics, Sculpture, and Fiber Arts and Material Studies. Smrcina has worked as, an intern for Carol Jackson, 2014 Whitney Biennial artist, to help prepare for solo show “High Plains Drifter,” at Threewalls gallery in Chicago, an assistant curator and studio manager for the Skragghole Collective gallery in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a production assistant, and assistant stage manager for Redtwist Theatre in Chicago. Her experience in large scale making, curation, and theatre inspired Smrcina to work in a histrionic way, creating environments like sets, or window displays, that showcase a hyper unreal and immersive atmosphere.
Kaitlin is a first and foremost a maker, craving immediacy, and interested in the complexities of picket signs, jokes, and cartoons. In addition to the philosophical and psychological references found in her work, Kaitlin draws inspiration from the immersive worlds of Yoshitomo Nara, Yayoi Kusama, and Hayao Miyazaki. Paralleling her favorite artist’s devotion, Smrcina wants to consume the truths of dimensionality and prove the impossible is possible when imagination becomes reality. Kaitlin has been showing her work since 2012 mostly in the Midwest, but has recently started participating in small shows and publications in Canada and Europe.
Education
2012-2015: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Fine Arts with concentration in Ceramics
2013-2015: Ox Bow School of Art and Artist's Residency, Saugatuck, MI
Summer Programs
2011: Cleveland Institute of Art
Experience
2016-2017: Redtwist Theatre, Chicago, IL
Assistant Stage Manager, Production Assistant
2015-Present: Ox Bow School of Art and Artist's Residency, Saugatuck, MI
Dishwasher, Ceramic Technician Assistant
2014-2015: The Skragghole Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
Assistant Curator, Studio Manager
2014: Carol Jackson, Chicago, IL
Intern, Studio Assistant
2013: Kitsch Capitol Art Show, Chicago, IL
Assistant Curator
Publications
Upcoming: August 2017: Average Art 13, artist magazine, UK
November 2017: Featured artist for Wirehouse Dailey, Wirehouse Collective Chicago
December 2017: Imitation of Life, hardcover artist book publication, Loosenart Magazine and Gallery, Rome, IT
Past: 2017: Unauthorized SFMOMA show catalog, publication of participating artists
2015: F News Magazine, comic contribution, August issue
2014: F News Magazine, comic contribution, October issue
2013: FIRST, collective compilation of artworks by SAIC students
Select Exhibitions
2017: Got it for Cheap, traveling group show, Athens, GR, Vancouver, CA, Copenhagen, DK, Oslo, NO, Los Angeles, USA
2017: Conception Arts One Night Show, group show, Chicago, IL
2017: Unauthorized SFMOMA Show #205, solo show, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA
2017: I HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TELL YOU, The Gallery at Casa, Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
2016: Downers, Solo Show, Ox Bow School of Art and Artist's Residency, Saugatuck, MI
2016: 64 Arts National Juried Exibition, Buchanan Center for the Arts, Monmouth, IL
2015: Fall Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sullivan Galleries, Chicago, IL
2015: Woman with Parrot, Ox Bow School of Art and Artist's Residency, Saugatuck, MI
2015: XVIII Collective Individuals, Spiral Gallery, Grand Rapids, MI
2015: SKRAGGNATIONTOUR2015, Performance, Skully's Music Diner, Columbus, OH
2014: Enter the Hole, The Skragghole Gallery, Opening Exhibition, Grand Rapids, MI
2014: Secret Knitters, Durational Performance, Yarn Con, Chicago, IL
2013: A Trip to the Woods, Forte Framing and Gallery, Chicago, IL
2013: Pushing Up Daisies: New Life to a Dead Trope, House Show, Chicago, IL
2013: ARTBASH, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sharp Building, Chicago, IL
2012: Joseph & Harriet Kern Gallery, Opening Exhibition, Milwaukee, WI
Skills
Proficient: Painting, drawing, various ceramic techniques, electric, gas and wood-fire kiln processes, various fibers techniques, paper mache, large scale fabrication, printmaking, stop motion animation, Adobe Creative Suite, iMovie, gallery installation, philosophy and psychology in relation to art and art practices.
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