Nicole Donnely

Artist Statement
My artistic interests are the embodied memory of being and how the experience of space is kept and communicated in the body of work. The self-reflective moments I tend to develop through my work are intended to draw empathy and a spirit of harmony with others. The representation and experience of my artwork, which can be taken intimately and emotionally, is an acceptance and respect of what it is to be human.
Throughout my art practices, ‘PAPER’ has been my long-time fascination as I have been trained and practiced as a draftsman, printmaker, artist’s bookmaker, and paper sculptor. I also grew up in Korean culture where the paper is not only a material to write or draw but also, to use for creating home goods, furniture, and even to use as architectural materials. From this upbringing, I see the paper as an embodiment of culture as various papers exist in different civilizations that can hold and interconnect experiences and memories like human skin.
The paper cast method that I apply for creating a paper sculpture during my residency is one of Korea’s traditional paper craft techniques called ‘Jiho-gibeop’ which is used to cast directly from the existing object forms, and it is similar to papier-mâché process in western paper craft tradition. And, it allows me to transform two-dimensional paper into three-dimensional sculptural work, as I desire to create tangible memories. I have been applying this method to create my paper sculptures, but I haven’t been able to make paper to produce the work. So, I am thrilled to be in the Morgan Art of Papermaking Conservatory to create new paper sculptures with my own paper.
Hyeyoung Shin is an artist and art educator whose practices in printmaking, drawing, and paper sculpture, which she uses to create a space for shared experiences with viewers. She currently teaches printmaking and drawing courses in the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Her work has been featured in numerous national & international group shows and residency programs, including the National Museum of Women in the Art in Washington DC; Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, H&R Block Gallery, and the Studio Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri; Weatherspoon Art Museum in UNC Greensboro, NC; Douro Museum in Alijo, Portugal, Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice and Il Bisonte Foundacion for Printmaking, Florence, Italy; Janet Turner Print Museum, Chico, CA, Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT; Kala Art Institute in Berkeley, CA; ‘ACE Proyecto in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Anderson Gallery in Buffalo, NY; 20|20 Gallery in the Elizabeth Arts Foundation, NYC, and one of her recent paper sculptures, ‘Immeasurable,’ won the ‘Best in Show’ for 2021 Cambridge Art Association’s Prize Show.