RESEARCH
ARTIST MEETING: WITH HEATHER MICHEL RIDDLE...
Exchanging ideas with Heather Michel Riddle
29/07/2021
I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Heather Michel Riddle about her work as part of my re.conceive research. We made connections over visual depictions of infertility and portrayals of the female experience generally.
Heather's beautiful pieces are quiet, subtle but full of complex meaning, both personally and in a broader context of myths and historical stories. I am drawn to the way she works in series over weeks, months, years - reflecting the protracted and cyclical nature of reproductive time in her artistic production.
In her own words...
"She makes art to explore and challenge the place of her experience within a larger context - relating the intimate to the larger narrative in order to create a shift in collective norming. Her work is influenced and intertwined by the specific - surroundings, family, daily life - as well as broader topics including mothering, reproductive justice/infertility, mental health and the historical portrayal of women. Often working in series, her practice ranges from painting to printmaking/collage."
We had such a wonderful meeting, drawing parallels in our work and finding intriguing differences. Super grateful to @aceagrams for funding me to be able to engage closely with other artists and pay them for their time. Hoping it may lead to future collaborations/exhibitions on this important topic.
heather michel riddle (she/her) is a mother, artist and art therapist. She makes art to explore and challenge the place of her experience within a larger context - relating the intimate to the larger narrative in order to create a shift in collective norming. Her work is influenced and intertwined by the specific - surroundings, family, daily life - as well as broader topics including mothering, reproductive justice/infertility, mental health and the historical portrayal of women. Often working in series, her practice ranges from painting to printmaking/collage. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. heather lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter.
"Sally, thank you so much for your kind words. It’s been such a gift connecting with you, your art and your project!" (Heather Michel Riddle)
Heather's beautiful pieces are quiet, subtle but full of complex meaning, both personally and in a broader context of myths and historical stories. I am drawn to the way she works in series over weeks, months, years - reflecting the protracted and cyclical nature of reproductive time in her artistic production.
In her own words...
"She makes art to explore and challenge the place of her experience within a larger context - relating the intimate to the larger narrative in order to create a shift in collective norming. Her work is influenced and intertwined by the specific - surroundings, family, daily life - as well as broader topics including mothering, reproductive justice/infertility, mental health and the historical portrayal of women. Often working in series, her practice ranges from painting to printmaking/collage."
We had such a wonderful meeting, drawing parallels in our work and finding intriguing differences. Super grateful to @aceagrams for funding me to be able to engage closely with other artists and pay them for their time. Hoping it may lead to future collaborations/exhibitions on this important topic.
heather michel riddle (she/her) is a mother, artist and art therapist. She makes art to explore and challenge the place of her experience within a larger context - relating the intimate to the larger narrative in order to create a shift in collective norming. Her work is influenced and intertwined by the specific - surroundings, family, daily life - as well as broader topics including mothering, reproductive justice/infertility, mental health and the historical portrayal of women. Often working in series, her practice ranges from painting to printmaking/collage. She received her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. heather lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and daughter.
"Sally, thank you so much for your kind words. It’s been such a gift connecting with you, your art and your project!" (Heather Michel Riddle)
