BILL SHELLEY
artist’s statement
About me:
What interests me? And why would my interests and art pursuits interest anyone else? What is the value of beauty? What is genuine and authentic? These are “art questions” that loom either in front of me (or behind me) whenever I’m working on art. I come from a background that is half art and music centered and half hillbilly. I am somewhat sophisticated and somewhat illiterate. I admire and envy people who are well-read, and who know architecture and music. On the other hand, I almost instantly recognize allusions, patterns and parallel meanings. I easily memorize people’s eye color.
About art:
Truth in art is good, and it is easier to tell the truth with art than in day-to-day life. Beyond maintaining a roof over your head and getting food on the table, out of all activities we have the privilege of choosing from (such as: gardening, friends, family, cars, sports, real estate, cleaning things, exercise, learning a foreign language, acts of charity, cooking), the absolute, hands-down most interesting and compelling for me is seeking out art and the challenge of making art. Why? Genetics? But it’s probably as simple as this: We generally do more of what interests us and we invest more time in activities where our chances of excelling are best.
CV
EDUCATION
University of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Brooklyn Museum Art School, Max Beckmann Scholarship recipient
EXHIBITIONS
2016 Mundane Architecture, Artspace1616, Sacramento, California
2016 Small Works Show, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, California
2015 Who We Are, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, California
2015 Like Nothing Seen Before: Collage and Assemblage Today, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa, California
2015 Metamorphosis: The Art of Change and Rebirth, Chroma Gallery, Santa Rosa, California
2013 The Male Figure: Form & Expression, Sacramento Temporary Contemporary Gallery
2013 8th National Juried Exhibition – Juror’s Award, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, California
2013 Summer Show, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, California
2012 Facing Forward, Hammerfriar Gallery, Healdsburg, California
2011 Frontburner Phantom Art Space, Windsor, California
2011 Summer Show, Skinner-Howard Contemporary Art, Sacramento, California
2011 Valentine Show, Skinner-Howard Contemporary Art, Sacramento, California
2010 Spring Show, Gallery 9, Culver City, California
2009 Mahoney Library, Santa Rosa Junior College, Petaluma, California
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Doyle Collection, Frank P. Doyle Library, Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, California
University of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
PRINT & E-MEDIA
Studio Four Magazine, Winter edition 2013
Next Door Magazine, September 2010 edition, pg. 43, illus.