ARTIST STATEMENT
EXHIBITION HISTORY
GALLERIES
MY FAVORITES


Artist Statement -



My current thinking seems to be asking the age old question what is art Well - dont know why I say my current thinking - I have been asking that question ever since post modernism and all its relativity. Not only has art become part of the postmodern movement it has also become less precious because it seems everyone accepts the comments anyone can make art and its all about your own personal interpretation or how one sees things. I believe art, aesthetics, are all about personal interpretation. That does not make art relative and subjective. How can I say that
Everyone is unique, all “art” is unique. If an object is not unique, original, one of a kind, then it isn’t art. The idea, the concept, their uniqueness is art.

Just like one person is unique to themselves, to their own individuality, “art” is unique to itself and it’s own individuality. It does not depend on collective thinking. NOT everyone’s ideas, concepts are art. Not every individual is an artist. They may create something that looks like art, it has a frame, it is in a gallery, the person who made it called themselves artists and their work art. But it isn’t – if it is not unique.

What makes art art Value. We should value it as art. If everything thing is called art there is no value in art. As a lifetime romantic, I believe art must have the ability to stress goodness, imagination, creativity, discovery, ability and virtue. These notions are all subjective. Subjectivity is unique, individual and not based on collective thinking. Modern art stops right here. Modern art is non objective art, it works toward an unattainable utopia, white bless, it is based on a blissful romantic anticipation, of something, a notion, a concept that never becomes real. What gives art reality I believe is based on an objective reality, perhaps a romantic objective reality but still an objective reality. The origin of the concept, the idea begins with the maker and their subjective individual uniqueness. Art gains value through the makers’ subjectivity the objective reality is that others can relate to as they search for their own pursuit of happiness and their own liberty as their live their own lives. Life has struggle, creating value comes with a struggle, without the struggle art is nonobjective and mindless.

My current works speak to the subjective fluidity in concept and idea forming. From this fluidity, a concept or idea is not yet objective. I search for this objectivity, I struggle to find this objectivity as I create. Why, because I believe that the combination of fluid subjectivity and real objectivity give meaning and value to art. I struggle to make this fluidity become real and relate to reality, to life, to my struggles and to my happiness and the happiness of others. I believe that by making the work objective I make that reality work for me and what I believe in and hope that I inspire others at the same time to do likewise, as they too struggle to give meaning to their lives have the meaning they have created work for them. Objective reality can be, personal, individual, and have unique meaning, not collective meaning, one size does not fit all. If everyone worked towards their own happiness, their own reality and allowed others to do the same I believe we would live in a very rich time indeed. Instead we seem to be sucking the creativity out of one to give it to another, then there will be no creativity, no art, no imagination they will have not value, no meaning. It is up the other to create things for themselves, things that will make them uniquely happy.

My current work is about finding the precious jewels that are life’s realities, including the struggles in life. My current work is about how I go about finding these jewels, treasuring them and sharing them. My current work is about hope I can inspire others to work with their own individualities and uniqueness and at the same time create their own objective reality they can live with. Not everyone wants to do this, nor can they do this, those who do, use their unique individual-ness, those who find the precious jewels in life, including the struggles, in order to give meaning to their lives and those around them know who they are, and know that they are indeed an artist and are creating art.

Artist Exhibitions



• PH.D(ABD), MFA, MA, BA.. University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Selected Exhibitions.
2011________________________________________________________________
• Group Juried Exhibition. Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Cape Fear Art Studio Exhibition. Fayetteville, NC.
• Group Juried Exhibition. VMRC 2011 Juried Art Exhibition. Harrisonburg, VA.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Red River Watercolor Society. Fargo, ND.
• Group Juried Exhibition. First Place. Lancaster County Art Association National Exhibition. Strasburg, PA.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Honorable Mention. Illinois Watercolor Society. Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, Ill.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Beloit & Vicinity Exhibition. Wright Art Center. Beloit, WI.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Arizona Watercolor Society. Phoenix, AZ.
• Group Juried Exhibition. First Place. Richardson Art Gallery. Kimberly, WI.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Louisiana Watercolor Society. Mandeville, LA.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Emerald Art Center Exhibition. Springfield, OR.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Texas Watercolor Society Exhibition. San Antonio, TX.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Curator. Perpetual Motion. Nicolet College. Rhinelander, WI.
• Group Juried Exhibition. GALEX 45. Galesburg, Ill.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Midland Arts Association. Midland, TX.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Honorable Mention. Texas Watercolor Society. San Antonia, TX
• Group Juried Exhibition. First Place. BAL National Exhibition. Beaumont, TX.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Rockies West National Exhibition. Grand Junction, CO.
• Group Juried Exhibition. "Midwest Seasons" Center For The Visual Arts. Wausau, WI.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Arts Alliance. Elk River, MN.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Valdosta State University. Valdosta, GA.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Watercolor Wisconsin 2011. Wustum Museum Of Fine Art. Racine, WI
2010_________________________________________________________________
• Group Juried Exhibition. Cultural Arts Council 24th Annual National Juried Exhibition. Augusta, GA.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Watercolor Wisconsin 2011. Wustum Museum Of Fine Art. Racine WI.
• Group Exhibition. October 2010. "The Gathering" CBAC. Washburn Museum & Cultural Center. Washburn, WI.
• Solo Exhibition. November 2010."Motley Spaces." Artists Haven Gallery. Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• Group Juried Exhibition. September 2010. Watercolor Wisconsin. New Visions Gallery. Marshfield, WI.
• Solo Exhibition. September 2010. Monty Stabler Gallery. Birmingham, AL.
• Group National Juried Exhibition. September - October 2010. 56th Juried Exhibition - Haggin Museum. Stockton, CA.
• Group National Exhibition. July-August 2010. Northern National Juried Exhibition. Rhinelander, WI.
• Group Exhibition. Honorable Mention Award. July 2010. Manito-Art League Exhibition. Manitowish Waters, WI.
• Group National Juried Exhibition. June 2010. Beloit and Vicinity Exhibition. Beloit, WI.
• Group National Juried Exhibition. June-July 2010. Chautauqua Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art. Chautauqua School of Art. Chautauqua, NY.
• Group National Juried Exhibition. July, 2010. Lancaster County Art Association National Juried Exhibition. Strasburg, PA.
• Group National Juried Exhibition. June, 2010. 45th Annual Central South Art Exhibition. Nashville, TN.
• Group Juried Exhibition. May. Wisconsin Watercolor Society. Jura Silverman Gallery, Spring Green, WI.
• Group Juried Exhibition. April. Emerald Spring Exhibition. Emerald Art Center. Springfield, OR.
• Group Juried Exhibition. May. Red River Valley International Juried Art Exhibition. Vernon, TX.
• Group Juried Exhibition. January - February. Northwest Art Center. Hartnett Hall Gallery. Minot State University. Minot, ND. "Americas 2010: Paperworks."
• Group Juried Exhibition. April. Andrews Art Museum. Andrews, NC.
• Group Juried Exhibition. Merit Award. March. Women's Works 2010. Woodstock,ILL.
• Group Exhibition. March. Artist Haven Gallery. Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• Group Juried Exhibition. January. "Midwest Seasons" Center for The Visual Arts. Wausau, WI.
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Artist Publications



“Three Koi In The Pond,” was selected as a finalist in the Abstract Experimental category of The Artist's Magazine 34th Annual Art Competition. “Three Koi In The Pond” was chosen out of over 5700 entries. The Michael Woodson, Associate Editor of Artists Magazine stated that "it is truly an achievement that your work "Three Koi In The Pond, “was among the ones to be sent to the jurors.”
I have developed a definite personal style and that style is what I bring to a new work. My work has been described as playful, spiritual and happy. James Nelson from The Birmingham News in Alabama stated in his review of a solo exhibition I had at the Monty Stabler Gallery, that "Christine Alfery's works are carefree, impulsive, vivacious, sometimes monochromatic, more often colorful, and always executed with a touch of humor. A stroll through the gallery is like walking in a English garden, a place where colorful plants turn space into a freewheeling exploration of nature. "

"General Sherman Tree- Sequoa National Park" was awarded a merit award in the exhibition, Alive in the Arts at the Plymouth Arts Center in Plymouth Wisconsin. Juror Graeme Reid, Director of Collections and Exhibitions for the Museum of Wisconsin Art, made this statement about "General Sherman Tree:" Bold. Gestural painting with vigor and restraint simultaneously. The strength and nature of the tree comes across very well indeed."

Kathryn Petke, MFA, stated that “Christine Alfery’s energetic brushstrokes, subtle colors and delicate line work metaphorically vibrates the life that exists and is growing in the “Eagle’s Nest.””

“Colored Leaves In The Grass” “This large scale watercolor is an exceptional mix of spontaneity and expressiveness, combined with the ethereal beauty of a colorful garden. It seems simultaneously carefree and carefully composed, and the palette is both understated and lush.” Laura Fiser Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Paine Art Center – Oshkosh, WI.

“End of The Day” Best of Show Manito Art League, Manitowish Waters, WI. “One of the things I most admire about painters is the ability to develop a unique language to express something deeply felt but not apparent. In This work, the gestural marks work like calligraphy and refer to the Asian tradition and sensibility in which each touch of the hand describes a growth, a blook, and decay. These marks perfectly pair with the subject matter, an old tree, and even though the tree isn’t represented form one point of view with the light falling on it, I feel its life cycle, its structure, its energy and its release into surrounding space. I like how some of the lines that seem to be shed branches contain little bits of energy ready to be released. This is a very encouraging and wise work that also display, like a very adroit dancer, a great sense of timing, an elegance of movement, and knowing mark-making that bravely delves into the medium’s fluidity and freedom, and yet hits the mark right on every time it meets the surface. “ Judge Diane Budde, MFA, University of Wisconsin Marathon County.

“Winter Light: Downy’s and Birches” won an Award Of Excellence at the 22nd Annual Midwest Seasons Exhibition. Denise Presneill-Weidner stated that “Winter Light, Downy’s and Birches is the kind of piece that just draws you into a different world. The layers of subtle color, along with the expressive, active line work results in a piece you can spend some time with.”

Scott Stullen from the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota judged my work "Summer Grasses" as Best Of Show. He stated that, “Christine Alfery's piece "Summer Grasses" is an expressive take on the traditional still life landscape painting motif. Bright circles of color dance within deep black scrawls, while black and white stripes dart between drippy white washes. The aggressive marks create dense pockets of activity and then die out into the white void. The painting easily slips between abstraction and representation and then back, revealing new depths with each visit. The evidence of the artist's hand is present throughout the piece, from frantic gestures to long finger swipes through the background. The personal scale of the piece creates a one-to-one relationship with the viewer, confronting you as you stand before it. I felt compelled to trace the artist's hand, retracing the record of activity. The overall painting mixes a formal grace with direct application of the materials to create stunning and mature work. "Summer Grasses" is my choice for Best in Show for tackling a traditional subject and imbuing it with a skillfully- executed and fresh perspective.

“Celebrate – Celebrate – Dance To The Music.” “The combination of color and texture create a unified composition with both abstract and pictorial elements. There is an almost whimsical quality to the line work.” Brian Borchardt, Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum.
Christine’s work is “playful and has a nice energy.” Stephen Quiller, AWS. “So much energy.” Nate Wilson. Nicolete College, Rhinelander, WI.
Nancy Lamers, Professor of Art at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a juror judged two works for Best of Show. "This award was the most difficult to choose because I had to select from two marvelous pieces by the same
artist. “Campfire" is equally compelling as a painting in a different medium. "Campfire" was given an honorable mention, but it could just have well been best of show. Ultimately, "Fish'n" was chosen for its playful use of the watercolor medium. Christine experiments successfully with a abroad array of media-handling techniques her assured gesture, use of line and color keep the viewer's eyes actively moving across the surface, and contrast of transparent and opaque color masses resulted in a painting that both makes one think and is visually pleasurable." Nancy Lamers stated that the "acrylic gesture, of "Campfire" united to give the impression of the campfire. Without a title to aid the viewer, the painting is just as fine. Mark making, dragging the tool energetically through paint, is a delightful kinesthetic experience for the viewer, surely as it was for the artist while creating. Light, dark contrast and textural changes, from barely noticeable to dynamic, add complexity.

Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber Of Commerce. "She works in a variety of paint mediums, including watercolor and acrylic and creates abstract floral images. Her images seem to grow organically across the canvas in a palette that can only be described as the happiest of colors. Alfery’s exhibit promises to be a patch of spring as we in the U.P. begin to eagerly await the end of winter."

Gay Scheffen. News Of The North. Alfery does not possess the demons of her predecessors and, in fact, believes that her acrylic and watercolor paintings are divinely inspired. She says"there is something extremely beautiful and powerful within me that emerges when I paint."She embraces it and treasures it. Her art is more about the emotional experience than the physical reality.

Julie Ganzer. University of Wisconsin-Madison. "Through the artist’s use of line, texture and bright color, simple “organisms” almost literally bounce and wriggle through a watery patch of sea green, gold, brick red and murky violet. The visual play is very entertaining."

Viewer’s Choice Award Comment. The Blanche Ames National Juried Art Exhibition. “Lovely festive, like many songs of the heart.”

Christine “has the ability to use strong merging color from warm to cool The eye plays with the curved shapes. There is a nice use of linear components which blend with the background colors.’’ Rovert STowers, University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, WI.
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Artist Collections




Christine Alfery's Artwork can be seen on the popular television series "24."
Christine Alfery's Artwork can be seen on the popular television series "Friends."
Christine Alfery's Artwork can be seen on the popular televsion series, "The Sapranos."
Christine Alfery's Artwork can be seen on Progressive Insurance ads on television.
Valassis Sales and Marketing, Inc.
Vivian Workman Collection
Mike Tyson Collection.
Preview Showroom Collection.



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Artist Favorites