Jackie Shatz is a sculptor who approaches her work with the mindset of a painter. She envisions her wall sculptures as paintings that expand into the surrounding space, while simultaneously compressing and containing figures and fragments. Her imagery often evokes swimming, floating, or "on the verge of" gestures, suggesting anticipation, hesitation, anxiety, or relief. Her latest work marks a shift from clearly defined human forms to figures in the process of transforming into more ambiguous beings. The scale of her sculptures reflects the influence of Medieval art, with hidden meanings akin to those found in dreams.
Shatz uses a range of materials in her sculptures, including ceramic, paper, bronze, and collage. Her process often begins with a figure drawn from a contemporary or historical painting, which serves as the foundation. This selection and formation are driven by a subconscious yet connected stream of thought. Transforming a two-dimensional drawing into a three-dimensional clay piece is a crucial step in her creative process. The finished work is often painted, combined with other objects, and further modified. She frequently incorporates older, discarded pieces into new creations, embodying a fluid process where "it's not over till it’s over."
Shatz has received numerous honors, including a Gottlieb Foundation Grant, a National Endowment for the Arts Grant, and a Tree of Life Grant. She also completed a collaborative residency at the Kohler Arts/Industry Program. Her work has been exhibited at various galleries, including Tappeto Valente (Brooklyn), Susan Eley Gallery (Hudson & NYC), LaiSun Keane Gallery (Boston), Zurcher Gallery (NYC), Marquis Projects (Bellport, Long Island), The Dorsky Museum (New Paltz, NY), Garrison Art Center, TygerTyger Gallery (Asheville), and Carter Burden Gallery (NYC).
In addition to her art practice, Shatz is an independent curator. She has curated exhibitions at The Art Center (St. Petersburg), Hampden Gallery (U. Mass Amherst), Freedman Gallery (Albright College), Henry Street Settlement, Tappeto Valente (co-curated with Celeste Morton), Garner Arts (co-curated with Robert Egert), Governors Island, and The Green Door Gallery in Brooklyn. She has collaborated on installations at Wave Hill, the Morris Museum (Morristown, NJ), and Governors Island. Her large-scale outdoor sculptures have been featured at Columbus Circle (NYC) and in front of Henry Street Settlement.
Shatz’s work has been exhibited widely in the New York metropolitan area and beyond, with a particular affinity for alternative and artist-run spaces. Her work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Art News, The Village Voice, Room (A Sketchbook for Analytic Action), Mieke Bal, "How to Say It? Symbiosis as Inter-Ship" In Symbiotic Posthumanist Ecologies in Western Literature, Philosophy, and Art. Towards Theory and Practice edited by Peggy Karpouzou and Nikoleta Zampaki, published by Peter Lang, 2023, pp. 79-98.
Join us for an engaging and hands-on sculpture workshop led by artist Jackie Shatz! In this fun and creative session, participants will learn to craft unique sculptures using paper as the primary material. You’re also welcome to bring your own favorite materials to incorporate into your sculptures, allowing for even more personal expression. Whether you're a beginner or experienced in sculpture, this workshop offers a wonderful opportunity to explore new techniques and expand your artistic creativity in a supportive environment.