To a child everything is truth. They are resistant to the distinction between fantasy and reality that we make as we grow older. Objects bear witness and are often times animated into participation. My canvas is the stage where the animate and inanimate intermingle, a place where the fictional becomes real and vice versa. It is this oscillation between illusion and reality that has the power to transform and suspend time.
My recent work explores cat mythologies both historical and personal. This body of work examines and celebrates the relationship between humans and felines. We cling to them, telepathically transmitting ourselves: our hopes, fears and desires, while they stare back at us dreaming of the hunt. A woman with multiple cats conjures up images of loneliness, teetering on a knife-edge between tenderness and madness. I liken being an artist to being an indoor cat. We vacillate between narcissistic self-absorption and a selfless and shameless need of love and attention. Our imaginary worlds freed beyond the boundaries of the walls of our homes and studios.

Amanda Joy Calobrisi
Email: amandajoycalobrisi@gmail.com
Website: amandajoycalobrisi.com
Phone: 312.480.6869

Education:
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL
MFA Painting and Drawing 2008
- Study Trip: Southern China: Local Cultures in a Globalized World
Guiyang, Xjiang, Zhaoquing, Guangzhou & Hong Kong

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Boston MA
Post-Baccalaureate Degree Painting and Drawing 2005

Acti-Lingua Academy, Vienna Austria
Intermediate Level Certificate 2003
-German Language Studies

The University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston MA
Bachelor of Arts Fine Arts/ Studio Concentration 2003
-Minor in Psychology


Solo Exhibitions:
Efflorescence, Gallery Uno, The Fine Arts Building Chicago IL, Feb. 2010

Select Group Exhibitions:
Kokorokoko: Showcased Artist for the West-loop art walk, Chicago IL Aug 2011

Heaven Knows, Group Exhibition at S& S Project Space, Chicago IL July 2011

CS40: Gala Event for Chicago Arts District Open Studios, Chicago IL Oct. 2010

Sex, Power and Labor, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago, IL Sept. 11 2010

Making Waves Exhibition and Silent Auction to benefit Recovery on the Water
An Abryant Gallery event at Temple Gallery, Chicago IL
July 2010

Fashion Chicago’s: Showcased Artist,An Abryant Gallery event,
Chicago IL, April 2010

Dollparts Vol. 1, an Abryant Gallery event at Beta Boutique,
An Abryant Gallery event, Chicago IL
March 2010

Extended: Adjunct Faculty Exhibition, Saint Xavier University, Chicago IL
Jan 2010

(Re)visions: Faculty Exhibition,
Dominican University, Chicago IL
Nov 2008

This is Not a Self Portrait, Gallery 2 and Project Space Sept 2007
Chicago, IL

Grants/Awards
Changes INC Artist Grants Sept. 2009

The Ruth Butler Travel Scholarship
For travel to Vienna, Austria to study the work and life of Egon Schiele.
April 2001

Publications:

New American Paintings: A Juried Exhibition in Print August 2011
Issue #95, Midwest Edition

Select Work Experience
Teaching:
Saint Xavier University, Chicago IL, Aug 2009- present
Instructor: Introduction to 2D Design
Introduction to Drawing
Beginning Figure Drawing

Dominican University, Chicago IL, 2008
Instructor: Life Drawing: Anatomy
Fundamentals of Drawing

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago IL Sept.-Dec.2007
Instructor: Multi-Level Figure Drawing Class

Teaching Assistant: Advanced Figure Painting Studio, Jan.-May 2007
Undergraduate Painting Seminar: Figuration and Perception with Susanna Coffey

Retail:
Oona’s Vintage Clothing, Harvard Square, Cambridge MA April 1998-2006
Manager

Knee Deep Vintage, Chicago Il 2008- present
Occasional sales help

Other:
Right hand (wo)man: Lighting/Make-up: films by Charles E. Roberts III March 2009-present
Lead Actress: Parity, a film by Apolonia Panagapoulos July 2006
- Synopsis @ http://www.paritymovie.com