Biography
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Carly Riegger is a chronically ill and disabled artist from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since finding clay, they have been able to express the feelings of their illness that words could not. Their artwork naturally merged with disability. They attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics. Their artwork has been featured at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati OH, Philly Art Collective in Philadelphia, PA, and Houseguest Gallery in Louisville, KY. Their writing was featured in a large installation in Grand Rapids, MI called My Dearest Friends Project, which was created by Oaklee Thiele. Carly is currently finishing a Post-Baccalaureate degree in Ceramics at Indiana University Southeast. Additionally, they are currently a Master of Arts in Disability Studies student at the City University of New York, expected to graduate in 2023. Both Carly’s artwork and career goals involve disability inclusion and rights since they have had many negative experiences in the world of art. They are working to expand how the ceramics community works with artists with disabilities.
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Artist Statement
I create my work in response to my life with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS). It is an inherited disorder that causes pain in the connective tissues throughout the body. My work is created to document, preserve, and express my inner turmoil and disability. I use ceramics to make my invisible struggle an undeniable physical reality. Often in history, disabled experiences have been silenced, forgotten, and ignored. Clay offers a permanence to my work that will never fade away and create a lasting narrative for present and future generations. In contrast, I use fiber to portray the delicate and impermanent state of ill bodies. Yarn and fiber materials can very closely relate to internal structures such as muscle; it can unravel and become loose or tight with tension. Disability Studies has become an important part of my research in creating a true interpretation of living as a disabled person to advocate for inclusion.
My work does not shy away from its confrontation with its witnesses. I am constantly uncomfortable because of other peoples’ understanding of my body. My work stands to hold these discomforts while placing honesty and responsibility back on its audience. Through my perception, chronic pain is the constant cycle of destruction and recreation. I restitch, sew, and mend myself back together to heal, to reclaim my body, and to reform my sense of self. In my sculptures, I can connect with people experiencing pain or illness, and show the importance of disability awareness for all people.
My work does not shy away from its confrontation with its witnesses. I am constantly uncomfortable because of other peoples’ understanding of my body. My work stands to hold these discomforts while placing honesty and responsibility back on its audience. Through my perception, chronic pain is the constant cycle of destruction and recreation. I restitch, sew, and mend myself back together to heal, to reclaim my body, and to reform my sense of self. In my sculptures, I can connect with people experiencing pain or illness, and show the importance of disability awareness for all people.
Education
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2023
2023
2020
2018
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The City University of New York (CUNY)
New York, NY Indiana University Southeast
New Albany, IN Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH Studio Arts College International (SACI)
Florence, Italy |
Master of Arts in Disability Studies
Post-Baccalaureate in Ceramics
BFA in Studio Art focused in Ceramics
Fall Semester Abroad
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Organizations
Disability and Access Coalition Club at CUNY
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The Dirt Bags Ceramics Club at IUS
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Exhibitions & Shows
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2022
2022
2022
2022
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
2020
2018
2018
2018
2017
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Shaping Our Experience, Body of Work Podcast Episode
Conversations with Disabled Artists Bodies: Celebrating All Bodies, Online Exhibition
The Ikouii Creative Organization, Curated by Aleatha Linsay Inside Their Studio: Deaf & Disabled Artists Reshaping the Arts
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Accomplishments
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2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2019
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
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Executive Vice Chancellor's Purchase Award
IUS Annual Juried Student Exhibition, New Albany, IN Kentucky Mudworks Award
IUS Annual Juried Student Exhibition, New Albany, IN We’re Still Here Micro Grant, Suffering the Silence
James W. Strong Studio Achievement Award
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH James W. Strong Outstanding Senior Award
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH
Jules Maidoff Award for Best Student Artwork in Fall Semester
Honorable Mention in Painting Category
67th Annual Undergraduate Art Exhibition Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH First place in the First Year Program Category
66th Annual Undergraduate Art Exhibition Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH Freshman Bravo Talent Award
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH Incoming Freshman Bravo Talent Award
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH |
Download CV
| carly_riegger_artist_cv_up_to_date.docx |
