Lauren’s interest varies from many materials. Right now her favorite is yarn.
Lauren Michelle insists on carrying her own sculptures even when they are bigger than her.
Or of equivalent size…
Artist Statement
Home is a place where one permanently lives, especially as a family. In the last few years of being a student, my home has changed locations from building to building. Home also became found in people rather than infrastructure. I am an interdisciplinary artist with a focus in sculpture, where I explore these aspects of home through my experimental sculpture practice.
Whenever I create, an aspect of childhood finds its way to the surface. My mind becomes filled with memories I shared with my three siblings and my loving parents. My cousins from Greece running barefoot on the cobblestone driveway. The birch trees that surrounded my bedroom window. The suffocating turquoise shade I chose to paint my bedroom walls. I associate these thoughts with comfort, and with comfort I think of the blanket my dad would lay on me after I fell asleep on the living room chair, before he would carry me to my turquoise bedroom with fluorescent green accents.
When our floors in our upstairs hallway were redone to hardwood, my tiny feet missed the comfort of the carpet as I ran down the hall to annoy my brothers and sister. With these memories I have been drawn to the idea of rug tufting and creating abstracted forms using textiles to express these memories from my childhood. Moving forward I am taking these abstracted ideas and turning them literal.
As a child I would rearrange my bedroom constantly. Interior design is one of my art forms. Which has guided me to create an interactive living room installation where all the furniture is upholstered with carpet and textiles. My intention for this environment is to be a safe space, a space for viewers to sit in as they reflect and reminisce about their own past. I am hoping for the idea of comfort to fill the space. Or the sense of longing.
I have mentioned different meanings of home. My own body will forever remain one of these definitions, inspiring my body of work that remains focused on the female form.
Education
2020-2024 BFA - Bachelors of Fine Arts - Sculpture Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME (pending 2024)
2019-2020 New Hampshire Technical Institute - Concord, NH Statistics, English Composition
Awards and Scholarships
2020-2024 Dean’s Scholarship - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
2020-2024 Financial Award - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
Group Exhibition
2023 Liveable Worlds Rebellion - 380 Cumberland - Portland, ME Test Site - Fort Gorges - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME Fashion Show - ICA at Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME BFA Merit Show - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
2022 BFA Merit Show - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME Man Versus … - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
2021 BFA Show - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
2020 BFA Show - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
Work Experience
2021-Current Admissions Tour Guide - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME
2022 Class Assistant: Youth Art Camp - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME Silk Screening / Metalsmithing and Jewelry, assisted in teaching ages 14-17 years old. Provide demonstrations and preparations for classes.
2022-Current Resident Assistant (RA) - Maine College of Art & Design - Portland, ME Monitoring Residence Halls and students. Providing support services, emergency and health support. Offering monthly events and programs.
2021-Current Office Clerk -Unicast - Londonderry, New Hampshire Digitizing paperwork
Workshops, Conferences
2018 Attendee: Snow Farm New England Craft Program - Williamsburg, MA (Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Ceramics)
2022 Stone Masonry Workshop (one day) - Tarleton Caste Arts - Bath, NH
Internships
2021 Tim Dailey - Tarleton Castle Arts - Bath, New Hapshire Assisted with the construction of the Tarleton Castle: Nonprofit. Hand mixed stucco and applied it to the exterior. Participated and assisted in events for the Castle.
Technical Abilities
Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator
Certified (2022-Current) Mental Health First Aid
MIG Welding, acetylene jewelry soldering, fabrication
