Shalene Valenzuela, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Foundations
email: shalene.valenzuela@umontana.edu
phone: 406 243 2065
office: Fine Arts 303
website: www.shalene.com
Bio
Shalene Valenzuela is an active studio srtist and experienced and versatile instructor, having taught classes and workshops in ceramics, drawing, painting, basic printmaking techniques and general sculpture. She managed Cricket Engine, a small collective gallery in Oakland, CA. In June 2007, Shalene moved from her longtime home of Oakland, CA to begin a two year residency at The Clay Studio of Missoula, where she learned the art of riding a bike in the snow. She then spent the 2009/10 academic year teaching at Oregon College of Arts and Crafts, and recently returned to Missoula and where she is in the process of setting up a studio at the Brunswick Building. Ms. Valenzuela has participated in summer artist residencies at the Archie Bray Foundation (MT) and Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts (ME), and taught classes and workshops at The Clay Studio of Missoula, Missoula Art Museum, Richmond Art Center (CA), ASUC Studios at UC Berkeley, and CCA Extended Education.
Artist Statement
My body of ceramic work consists of quirky pieces that reflect upon a variety of issues with a thoughtful, yet humorous and ironic tone. I am inspired by the potential of everyday common objects. I reproduce these objects primarily through slipcasting, and illustrate the surfaces with a variety of handpainted and screenprinted imagery. My narratives explore topics ranging from fairytales, urban mythologies, consumer culture, societal expectations, etiquette, and coming-of-age issues. Stylistically, much of my imagery is pulled from somewhat "dated" sources that I find represent an idealized time in society and advertising. Such gems include instructional guides, cookbooks, old advertisements, and old family photos. Beneath the shiny veneer of these relics hides a complex and sometimes contradicting truth of what things seem to appear as upon first glance.
So one may ask "Why clay? Why not just draw these images on paper, or on the actual objects?" One way of explaining my building aesthetic would be a form of trompe l’oeil with a twist. The preciousness of clay as a medium helps transform my depicted common household/consumer item into something magical. I care about the object being referenced and recognizable while maintaining my illustrative quality that completes the narrative.
Sometimes my inspirations are just pure whimsy, and I find nothing wrong with that. Rules are sometimes meant to be broken. How else are we supposed to learn?
Education
MFA: California College of Arts & Crafts, Oakland CA, May 1997
BA with Honors in Art Practice/Minor in Geography: University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley VA 1994
