artist statement
Obsessed with my own mortality and gripped by a paralyzing fear of dying alone, I place and impose myself around the neck of another; thus, erasing my inevitable disappearance and becoming manifestly and intimately connected.
This is where I begin, at the very end.
biography
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in sculpture and photography from Florida State University and my Master of Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture and installation from the Memphis College of Art. In 2014, I've took classes in metalsmithing and wax casting at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago, IL with instructors Neil Kraus and Pam Robinson. In 2019, I completed a second master's degree in Jewellery, cum laude, at the Estonian Academy of Arts under the supervision of Kadri Mälk.
My work has been shown nationally and internationally, with shows at both the Powerhouse and the Medicine Factory in Memphis, TN, the Vizavirosi Gallery in Budapest, and the Fifth Parallel Gallery at the University of Regina, Canada, and has been selected for SCHMUCK in Munich in 2018 and 2020. I was recently awarded one of the graduate prizes at the Galerie Marzee International Graduate Exhibition, and named an upcoming design star by Wallpaper* Magazine. I have received a travel fellowship to study glass blowing at the Glass Furnace in Istanbul and I've participated in a number of residency programs, to include: ElsewhereElsewhere in Greensboro, NC, Jentel Artist Residency in Banner, WY, the Hungarian Multicultural Center in Budapest, Hungary and was invited to attend the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, VT.
I currently split my time between Chicago, IL and Tallinn, Estonia due to exhibitions in both the US and Europe. I teach Art History online for several community college consortiums across the US, am a guest lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Arts. I also write professionally about contemporary jewellery, art and design independently and also for an art & philosophy online journal I founded titled Louise & Maurice.
My professional experience includes tenure as the Director of Programming & Special Projects for international art + design fairs across the United States (SOFA art+design, the metro show, and the AADLA Spring Show), which included producing critically acclaimed lecture series, curating special exhibits, and cultivating opportunities for dialogues with curators, editors, gallerists, artists and collectors. I have also served as a consultant & educator for high-end art supply manufacturers, and extensive roles in the fine art supplies retail market to include the launch and oversight of gallery spaces, outreach and management of renowned artists' accounts, and the development of educational programs for both children and adults.
An avid traveler - my top destinations include Barcelona, Spain; Athens, Greece; Lisbon, Portugal; Vienna, Austria; and Istanbul, Turkey.
curriculum vitae
EDUCATION
2019
MA, Cum Laude, Jewellery | Eesti Kunstiakadeemia (Estonian Academy of Arts), Supervisor: Kadri Mälk
Specialty Workshops with Claude Schmitz, Mari Ishikawa, Ryo Saito, Philip Sajet, Adam Grinovich, Ruudt Peters, and Charon Kransen
Summer Practice (one-on-one) with Jorge Manilla | Ghent, Belgium
2007
MFA, Studio Art – specialization areas: Sculpture & Installation Art | Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
1998
BFA, Cum Laude, Studio Art – specialization areas: Photography & Sculpture | Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
.
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
Solo
2020
IMMORTAL. HOP Galerii, Tallinn, Estonia
2019
loneliness is the slowest death : a requiem for longing. EKA Galerii, Tallinn, Estonia
2007
Open Engagement: Art after Aesthetic Distance. Fifth Parallel Gallery, University of Regina, SK, Canada (Curated by Jen Delos Reyes)
Jewels. Site-specific installation at the Medicine Factory, Memphis, TN
2006
Undocumented & Unseen. A weeklong happening in Barcelona, Spain
2005
En Route to Grace. The Here Gallery, Norfolk, VA
1999
Hey-Zeus. Storefront presentation in Providence, RI
Paraso(u)l. The Space Between Gallery, Nashua, NH
I am Ozmaple. The Space Between Gallery, Nashua, NH
Two-Person
2019
Too Much with Triin Kukk. Series: About Last Night... A Galleri, Tallinn, Estonia
2006
Dwell. MFA Space, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
2001
Spring. Storefront presentation in Chinatown, New York, NY
Group
2020
SCHMUCK 2020. Valencia, Spain (Curated by Chequita Nahar) *CANCELLED
SCHMUCK 2020. Munich, Germany (Curated by Chequita Nahar) *CANCELLED
O O O O. Munich, Germany with Kristine Ervik, Olaf T. Hodne & Hanna-Maria Vanaküla
2019
SOFA CHICAGO. Charon Kransen Arts, Chicago, IL, USA
Marzee International Graduate Exhibition. Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
21grams. Galeri Handwerk, Munich, Germany / Legnica, Poland / Mons, Belgium / CODA, The Netherlands. (Curated by Ruudt Peters)
TASE'19. Eesti Kunstiakadeemia, Tallinn, Estonia
2018
21grams. China Academy of Art, Hangzhou, China (Curated by Ruudt Peters)
SCHMUCK 2018. Munich, Germany (Curated by Hans Stofer)
2017
Käeatlas - aksessuaarinäitus. Tallinn Design Week, Noblessner (Invitation). Tallinn, Estonia.
Käeatlas - aksessuaarinäitus. TALI Design. Tallinn, Estonia (Curators Tanel Veenre and Helene Vetik)
Tsirkus. Saaremaa Kunstistuudio, Saarramaa, Estonia
2008
International Artists Residencies Exhibition. Vizivarosi Gallery, Budapest, Hungary (Curated by Beata Szechy, Director, Hungarian Multi-Cultural Center with Opening remarks by Mark Tauber, Cultural Attaché of the US Embassy-Budapest and Dr. Katalin Geller, art historian & curator)
2007
Residency Exhibition. ElsewhereElsewhere, Greensboro, NC
HMC Exhibition. Congress Center, Budapest, Hungary
International Artists Residencies Exhibition. Balatonfured, Hungary (Curated by Beata Szechy, Director, HMC with Opening remarks by Mark Tauber, Cultural Attaché of the US Embassy-Budapest)
DADA II: Everything Dada. The Powerhouse, Memphis, TN (Curated by Delta Axis)
Mine. MFA Graduate Exhibition. On the Street Gallery, Memphis, TN
Aids Project. On the Street Gallery, Memphis, TN
Out of the Center. Brode Gallery, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
2006
Class of ’06. Alternative Space, Memphis, TN (Curated by Lantana Projects)
Designer’s Ball. Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
International 2006 Juried Exhibition. Dangenart Gallery, Nashville, TN
Barcelona SEWS. Brode Gallery & MFA space, Memphis, TN
1998
two. BFA Graduate Exhibition. FSU Museum of Fine Arts, Tallahassee, FL
Devouring House. Alternative Space, Tallahassee, FL
AWARDS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES
2020
Kulka.ee grant - solo exhibition, HOP Galerii
2019
Selected Graduate 2019, Estonian Academy of Arts, Klimt02 JPlus Award
Marzee Graduate Prize, Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Kulka.ee grant – exhibition with Triin Kukk, A Galerii, Tallinn, Estonia
Kulka.ee grant - solo exhibition, EKA Galerii
2018
Young Estonian Jewellery Foundation Writing Award
Kulka.ee grant – SCHMUCK 2018, Munich, Germany
2017
Academic Excellence Scholarship; Outstanding Curriculum Performance | Eesti Kunstiakadeemia
Dora + Scholarship; Dora Plus Programme Activity 2.1 | International Masters Student
Dora + Scholarship; Dora Plus Programme Activity 1.1 | Schmuck / Munich Jewellery Week 2017, Munich, Germany
2016
Dora + Scholarship; Dora Plus Programme Activity 2.1 | International Masters Student
2015
Arts Writers Grant Finalist; Creative Capital / Warhol Foundation, New York, NY
2008
Invitation for Artist Residency; Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT
2007
Artist-In-Residence; ElsewhereElsewhere, Greensboro, NC (August)
Artist-In-Residence; Jentel Artist Residency, Banner, WY (June – July)
Hohenberg Merit Award; Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
2006
Artist-In-Residence; Hungarian Multicultural Center, Budapest, Hungary (December – January)
Graduate Student Travel Award; SECAC Conference, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN (October)
Hohenberg European Fellowship; The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey (July)
Hohenberg Merit Award; Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
President’s List; Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
2005
Admissions Scholar; Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN (2005 – 2007)
Portfolio Award; Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN (2005 – 2007)
NOTED PUBLICATIONS, PRESS & INTERVIEWS
2020
Wallpaper* magazine, Design Stars of the Future: Graduate 2020 Directory, print issue #250 and digital
2019
“Ehtekunstnik Erinn M. Cox: Me ei peaks piirama oma ihasid, ükskõik kui hullumeelsed need ka ei oleks,” Erika Renal, 4dimension.org
Modern Luxury Magazine, Chicago, print, SOFA CHICAGO 2019
So Mint!.|Current Obsession.com
“TRAGÖÖDIA LÕPUTUS VAATUSES.” Urmas Lüüs, Sirp, number16, 3728 (print) and Sirp.ee
“Erinn M. Coxi hingestatud kunst.” Kerly Ritval, Kultuurinfo.ee, Tallinn, Estonia
2017
“On Tallinn: its youth and magic,”Margherita Potenza, Current Obsession.com
Editorial feature: “Must & valge – nii nagu elu.” Naine Magazine (print) Tallinn, Estonia June
2016
“Saaremaa Art Studio exhibits of contemporary jewellery and blacksmithing,” Merilin Pearl, Editor, Kultuur.err.ee, Saaremaa, Estonia
2007
http://artmemphis.net/coxxinterview.html. ArtMemphis.net. Memphis, TN
“Cosmonauts.” The Memphis Flyer, Issue # 956. Memphis, TN
“Lessons Learned.” The Memphis Flyer, Issue #950. Memphis, TN
1997 The Pragmatist. Tallahassee, FL
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS | LECTURES | PANELS
2020
Artist Lecture, "from idea to exhibition," Jewellery Department, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia, Tallinn, Estonia
2019
Artist Lecture, “loneliness is the slowest death : a requiem for longing,” EKA Galerii, Tallinn, Estonia
Artist Lecture, Tallinn Arts Week, Featured Art Tour with ECCDC, Tallinn, Estonia
2013
“Transformer,” Introduction for Jeweler/Artist Daniel Von Weinberger, SOFA CHICAGO, Chicago, IL
“Eero Saarinen: Furniture for Everyman,” Introduction for Author, Brian Lutz, Spring Show NYC, New York, NY
2012
“The Beauty Within,” Introduction for Artist Bonnie Seeman, SOFA CHICAGO, Chicago, IL
2008
Artist Lecture, College of Charleston, Sculpture Department, Charleston, SC
2007
“Memento Mori: Art of the Experiential Body,” lecture, Conference: Open Engagement: Art after Aesthetic Distance, Regina, SK, Canada
Artist Lecture, Sheridan, WY
“The Feminine Aesthetic: Phenomenology of the Female Artist, Memory & Material,” Gender Identity in the Visual Arts, panelist, MTSU Women’s Studies Conference, Murfreesboro, TN
Artist Lecture, Hungarian Multicultural Center, Budapest, Hungary
2006
Artist Lecture, “Working in Glass in Istanbul,” Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
“Creating a Career in Art – The Role of the MFA,” Careers in Art Conference, panelist, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
“Art of Graduate School,” Open Session, panelist, SECAC Conference, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Artist Lecture, “Self-Portrait through Sculpture & Installation,” MSCC, West Memphis, AR
Artist Lecture, The Glass Furnace, Istanbul, Turkey
NOTED PUBLICATIONS (AUTHOR)
2020
Upcoming : “Sorry, not sorry. The case for the unapologetically personal narrative in contemporary jewellery.”
2018
Exhibition review of “RÕHULOSS | Castle in the Air.” Klimt02.net
Exhibition review of “RÕHULOSS | Castle in the Air.” Sirp. 30. November 2018. Number 48 (3719); Tallinn, Estonia
2016.
Exhibition review of "Beyond Bonds: Secrets, Truths, and Revelations | The 3rd International Biennial of Contemporary Metal Art | METALLOphone:
Bonds (AV17) GALLERY; Vilnius, Lithuania.” (print) Literatura Menas, Nr. 39 (3587), 2016 m. spalio 28d and (online)
Exhibition review of “Tanel Veenre: The Will and The Name of the Rose.” (repost) Iluguru.ee
Exhibition Catalog inclusion for “Second Wind” by artists Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles, Duane Reed Gallery, St. Louis, MO, USA
2015.
“Interview | Louise & Maurice Interview Chris Staley at Length” (repost) CFile
“Interview | Louise & Maurice Interview Chris Staley at Length” (repost) artaxis
6-part series on the Craft School Experience, sponsored by National Craft Initiative | Impact Studios, Philadelphia, PA
2014
Launch of www.louiseandmaurice.com, Chicago, IL (articles published monthly)
“Re-define what it means to be an art collector.” Rebellious Magazine, Chicago, IL
2008.
“Memento Mori: Art of the Experiential Body,” Open Engagement: Art After Aesthetic Distance. (Color catalog) Regina, SK, Canada
“The Feminine Aesthetic: Phenomenology of the Female Artist, Memory & Material,” (Conference Catalog) MTSU Women’s Studies Conference, Murfreesboro, TN
SELECTED TEACHING APPOINTMENTS
2020
Guest Lecturer: Small Bronze Casting, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia, Tallinn, Estonia
2015 – present
Adjunct Instructor: Art Appreciation, Pearl River Community College, eLearning, Poplarville, MS
2011 – present
Adjunct Professor: Art Appreciation, City Colleges of Chicago, Online Learning, Chicago, IL
2008 – present
Adjunct Professor: Art Appreciation, Itawamba Community College, Distance Learning, Tupelo, MS
2008
Adjunct Faculty: Visiting artist faculty for Introduction to Sculpture, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC
2006 – 2007
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): 3D Design, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): Photo II, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
Arts Program Instructor: Continuing Education, Memphis College of Art, Memphis, TN
RELEVANT NON-ACADEMIC PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2014 – present
Founder, Writer, Designer and Curator, www.LousieandMaurice.com
2007 – 2014
Director of Programming & Special Projects, Urban Expositions, Chicago, IL - International Art + Design Fairs SOFA CHICAGO, SOFA NEW YORK, SOFA WEST: SANTA FE, The Metro Show, the AADLA Spring Show, and consultant for expoCHICAGO
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Estonian Artists' Association
Art Institute of Chicago (Member Advisory Board)
Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Chicago History Museum
College Art Association (CAA)
ElsewhereElsewhere (Greensboro, NC)
Florida State Alumni Association
Golden Key National Honor Society
Hungarian Multicultural Center (Budapest, Hungary
International Sculpture Center (ISC)
Memphis College of Art Alumni Association
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
National Education Association (NEA)
Southeastern Conference of Arts Colleges (SECAC)