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All images ©LaFontsee Galleries. May not be reproduced without written permission.
Shelly Klein • Statement
I’m interested in sadness. Its daily management is the subject of my most recent work.
The only way to truly enjoy anything is to temporarily forget about any shame, heartbreak, guilt, regret, or outrage associated with that thing. If we can ignore the sometimes unspeakable consequences of many of our actions, we can enjoy experiences as they happen. It’s a trade. It’s the way we buy happiness.
A person can never really forget, though. Darkness always comes creeping back in. It takes different forms, but inevitably it reappears.
I’m not sure if we should try harder to forget or to remember. I’m not sure if being happy is okay when there is so much sadness connected to the things that make us happy. I’m not sure if I care too much or not enough.
By exploring these themes visually I hope to get closer to understanding where the balance should be. My goal is to connect with people about our shared and individual struggles with this heaviness.
Shelly Klein • Biography
EDUCATION
1994
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Concentration in Painting, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2011
“There’s No Free Lunch”, Solo show, Quirk Gallery, Richmond, Virginia
“Wood, Linen, Paper: Three Women”, Workshop, Jackson, Wyoming
“Associations”, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“A(wake) An Exhibition”, Cornerstone Building, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2010
“Live Coverage”, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2009
“ArtPrize Juried Exhibition”, top 50 ranking, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2007
“2007-a”, LaFontsee Galleries, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Live Coverage”, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2005
“Festival 2005 Regional Arts Exhibition”, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Artfestation”, Private Group Exhibition, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Telephone Show”, Byrne Boehm Gallery, Grand Rapids, Michigan
2004
“Live Coverage”, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, Grand Rapids, Michigan
AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS
2011
Best Collection- Accent on Design, k studio
Awarded by New York International Gift Fair
2009
Affinia Shelburne Hotel, New York
Completed 600 square foot permanent art installation in lobby
Designed animation projection for lobby
Created custom textiles for 280 rooms
Illustrated national ad campaign
2006
Commission: Herman Miller 50th Anniversary Eames Lounge Chair
Designed custom textile for upholstered Eames Lounge Chair exhibited at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair
2004-present
k studio - Designed and developed k studio product line of drawing based, embroidered textile products
Clients include MOMA San Francisco, MOCA Los Angeles, MCA Chicago, anthropologie, Walker Art Center, Whitney Museum of American Art
Publications include NY Times, Elle, Real Simple, Better Homes and Gardens
2003-2011
Member: Curatorial Board, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts
The curatorial board’s main responsibility is to curate visual art exhibitions for Michigan’s largest contemporary arts center
