Alexis Neumann
About Me
Biography
Alexis Neumann is an installation artist creating BioArt, glass art, sculpture and sound art. She uses transparent materials like glass, plastic, and tulle, as well as LEDs, sound, copper and recycled materials to create sculptural work revolving around mental health, spirituality and energy. Alexis lives with invisible illnesses like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and Chronic Migraines which informs her work. Alexis is a West Coast artist, originally from Encinitas, CA, currently based in Portland, OR. Alexis is getting her MFA in Visual Arts and an MA in Critical Studies at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and received a BA in Music and Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington in 2018, also focusing on Digital Experimental Art and New Medias. Her light installations, highlighting her experience with chronic migraines, have been featured in public festivals and other spaces. She has used recycled medical containers, like pill bottles, to de-stigmatize medication taking, specifically for invisible illnesses like mental health. Alexis is a trained opera singer and her connection with music plays a vital role in her artistic practice. Interdisciplinary work, specifically combining science and art, is a passion of hers and she melds these two disciplines and creates programming about STEAM- science, technology, engineering, art and math especially for young women. Alexis’ academic work focuses on disability studies, cultural studies and comparative religious studies, and her dedication to interdisciplinary work is present in the university setting as well as playing a large role in her writing practice.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice is research-based, focusing on and celebrating complexity, intricacy and balance through light, sound, and installation art. I highlight the interconnectedness of the world within the body and soul influenced by music, nature, spirituality, technology, illness, and more, frequently utilizing networks, light, and biological imagery. I utilize materials accessible and sustainable for me, whether that be wire, moss, broken glass, medical supplies, or recycled plastic, to make not only my process an example of social justice but to also highlight the rebirth of materials and make work that is able to be large-scale and experiential. I’ve used a wide range of materials like recycled pill bottles to normalize the act of taking medicine and stained glass practices to engage a historical and traditional iconic art form that displays celestial forces.
Transparency, intricacy, dissonance and multiplicity of materials illuminates (oftentimes literally) challenging, complicated topics like biology, disability, or religion in an inviting and approachable way. My work is therapeutic and generative, building off of collaborative knowledge, creating extensive knots to parallel the pain and confusion of migraines or engaging the history and healing capabilities of moss. It is important for my work to be accessible in many different ways, so I engage multiple senses and make my art immersive and responsive to the viewer by using interactive technology.
Experimenting with ways of making is significant for my process because it references a deeply held belief of mine, that there is always something more to discover, learn about, and share. I combine recycled objects, translucent materials, wire, lights and sound to engage and reference mental, spiritual, natural, and anatomical processes. And I share my own journey with invisible illness and spirituality and use research and community conversations to include other voices. Research is deeply influential to my art as inspiration can take the form of so many things, but it frequently comes from science, light, medical knowledge, sound, and conversations with others.
Education
MFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art
MA from Pacific Northwest College of Art
BA from University of Washington
Alexis Neumann has won awards and grants for her research. Her undergraduate education focuses on music, comparative history and cultural studies. Her graduate degrees focus on sculptural installation art, bioart, disability studies, cultural studies and comparative religious studies particularly in relation to art.
September 2019 - August 2022
Laura Russo Memorial Scholarship
PNCA Critical Studies Dual Degree Scholarship
Graduate Degrees:
M.F.A. in Visual Arts
M.A. in Critical Studies
September 2014 - August 2018
B.A. in Comparative History of Ideas and American Music Studies
Certificate in Digital Experimental Arts and New Media
Mary Gates Honors Scholar
Undergraduate Research in the Arts and Humanities Award
Helen A. Reynolds Scholarship in Music
UW Seattle Purple and Gold Scholarship
Dean's List every quarter
Resume- Alexis Neumann 2021
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