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Born:
1956; Pittsburgh
, PA
McKee's
work is in direct
response to a personal exploration of the complexities that define our
perceptions of reality, the inner struggles for identity, the pathos and
banality of everyday life and its visual experience.
“The
vehicle my exploration is the use of figurative drawing and painting medium
in combination discarded materials and found objects. The recycling of
salvaged materials into my works began as an extension of the painting
medium; We live in a disposable society. It speaks volumes of our humanity,
its priorities and hierarchy of values. It is amazing to reflect upon
what is discarded. Finding value in what others have thrown away is largely
a matter of differing perspectives. The objects I use bring their own
histories and unknown memories.
SELECTED
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / AFFILIATIONS
2002
Bulgaria Artists Residency, The Griffis arts Center and The Orpheus Foundation
2002 - 2004 Urban Artists Initiative Residency funded by the National
Endowment for the Arts and Connecticut Commission on the Arts in partnership
with the Institute for Community Research
2002 Vermont Studio Center Residency
2001 School of Visual Arts, New York, NY: Summer Studio Master Residency
2001 National College of Art & Design; Dublin, Ireland; Teaching Residency
1999 - 2002 Arts Consortium of Rhode Island, Board of Directors
1998 - 1999 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Gallery Coordinator. (Exhibit Design/Install.)
1997 East Lyme Middle School, Artist in Residence
1996 - 1997 Mariner Health Inc. - Illustration and National AD Campaign
Design
1992 San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA - Board of Director
1992 Combined Organizations of the Visual Arts, COVA , San Diego, CA-Liaison,
Board of Directors
1988 - 1989 University of California, Irvine - Dance Department Illustrator
1975 - 1977 U.S. Army Office of Public Affairs – Illustrator
SELECTED
EXHIBITIONS
2004
Drawing Today, New Arts Gallery, Litchfield
, CT
2003
Groton School, Groton, MA
2002 New Arts Gallery, Litchfield, CT
2002 Bulgarian National Palace of Culture ;Solo Exhibition
2001 University of Connecticut, Alexey von Schlippe Gallery; Solo exhibition
2001 New Arts Gallery, Litchfield, CT; Solo exhibition
1999 University of Connecticut, AVS Gallery, Groton, CT
1999 Artworks! At Dover Street Gallery, New Bedford, MA
1999 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Old Lyme, CT; Solo exhibition
1999 Pfizer Corporation B. A. R. E., Groton, CT
1998 Copley Society, Boston, MA
1997 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, CT
1996 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, CT
1995 Mystic Art Association, Mystic, CT
1992/91/90 San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA ; Solo exhibitions
1988/87/86 M.D. Gallery, San Diego, CA; Solo exhibitions
1985/84 Hamilton Center Exhibition, Allentown, PA
1983/82 Astec Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO; Solo exhibitions
1979/80 R & B Ranch Exhibition, San Antonio, TX
1973/74 Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh, PA
MAJOR
BODIES OF WORK
2002
Reformed, Further exploration into the multiple realities of social perspectives
and artist's materials
1999 Dwellers at the Fringe, Oil paintings on semi-sculptural surfaces
constructed from recycled and salvaged wood, found objects and traditional
materials.
1997 Pivotal Moments, Oil on wood and/or canvas with found objects.
1992 Spherical Meditation, Acrylic and mixed media on canvas.
GRANTS
AND AWARDS
2002
National Endowment for the Arts/Connecticut Commission on the Arts Grant
2002 The Vermont Studio Center Fellowship
2002 The Orpheus Foundation Fellowship
2002 The Griffis Foundation Grant
1998 - 1999 Stobart Fellowship
1998 Copley Society Scholar
1997 - 1998 Wiggins Scholar
1997 - 1998 Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Full Scholarship
1974 National Merit Award for Artistic Achievement
EDUCATION
1998
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, CT; BFA
1997 School of Visual Arts, NY; Study with Nancy Chunn
1992 - 1993 Palomar College, CA
1961 - 1992 Autodidact
Corporate:
Pfizer Groton World Research Headquarters
UNYSIS
Museum
& Academic Institutions & Foundations:
•
Griffis Foundation , NY
•
Orpheus Foundation,NY
•
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts,Lyme,
Ct
•
National Palace of Art , Sofia
, Bulgaria
•
University of Connecticut , Alexey
von Schlippe Gallery of Art
An
exhibit of Mark's work at the Lyman Allyn Museum of Art is presently being
organized in 2007. This will be a curated comprehensive exhibit with catalog.
Designated works from this exhibition will be acquired for the permanent
collection.
Additionally
Mark has had solo exhibitions at the National Palace of Art in Sofia ,
Bulgaria ; the San Diego Art Institute; The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts
and the University of Connecticut
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