Dawn Ertl
- Work
- Biography
I am an artist who makes work exploring environmental issues connected to human behaviors using fiber, public engagement, research, and data-driven algorithms. I use weaving, knitting, and joining techniques to establish foundational environments that are added onto by building up narratives related to human activity. My work demonstrates the link to researched information through titles and project statements. Additionally, titles often reference intimate emotional transfers one might exchange while involved in a co-dependent relationship.
I employ color, hand-dyed yarn, and painting to set the tone of the subject matter or location representation. I rely on materials with minimized environmental impacts, like hemp and Tencel, while sometimes incorporating otherwise throw-away items like single-use plastics. I utilize compositional methods that challenge the viewer to investigate further and to reflect inwardly. I integrate varied textures, material placement, and spacing rhythms to guide perspectives.
For weavings, in particular, I use open and compacted material spacing to invite conversation and to provide obstacles. Both methods invite compromise and consideration of the landscape and subject. I also subvert traditional methodologies to challenge learned generational behaviors. Examples can be seen where fringe is added to weaving that wouldn't usually have it in a particular area or at all, when paint is added to already dyed fiber, and when yarn is used in open spaces to illustrate the basics of the underlined structure.
I employ color, hand-dyed yarn, and painting to set the tone of the subject matter or location representation. I rely on materials with minimized environmental impacts, like hemp and Tencel, while sometimes incorporating otherwise throw-away items like single-use plastics. I utilize compositional methods that challenge the viewer to investigate further and to reflect inwardly. I integrate varied textures, material placement, and spacing rhythms to guide perspectives.
For weavings, in particular, I use open and compacted material spacing to invite conversation and to provide obstacles. Both methods invite compromise and consideration of the landscape and subject. I also subvert traditional methodologies to challenge learned generational behaviors. Examples can be seen where fringe is added to weaving that wouldn't usually have it in a particular area or at all, when paint is added to already dyed fiber, and when yarn is used in open spaces to illustrate the basics of the underlined structure.
Exhibitions (*denotes solo exhibitions)
2024-Threads of Tomorrow, Museu Têxtil, New Orleans, LA, Curated by Rodrigo Franzao
2021-Nomad, Torrance Art Museum, (off-site), Torrance, CA, Curated by Max Presneill
2021-Wall Hangings, Four Fourteen, Marysville, CA, Curated by Tina Linville & Sarah Cabigas
2019-Material World, William Blizard Gallery, Springfield, MA, Curated by Jessica Poser
2019-Outside Us, Seaver Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Arezoo Bharthania
*2019-Transgenerational, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA, Curated by James MacDevitt
2018-Taking Up Space, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles, (TSA LA), Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Stacy Wendt
2016-Post Waste, South Bay Contemporary, San Pedro, CA, Curated by Tracey Weiss
2016-Thread, El Camino Community College, Torrance, CA, Curated by Susanna Meiers
*2016-The Warmth of Your Embrace, Makers Mill, North Adams, MA
2015-Fiberlicious, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Carol Shaw Sutton & Scott Canty
2015-Abstract Visions Information Mapping from Mystic Diagrams to Data Visualizations, Cerritos College Art Gallery, Norwalk, CA, Curated by James MacDevitt
2014-I'm Not Buying It, The Arcade, Los Angeles, CA, Organized by Skunkworks
Projects
2019-current-HomeGrown: The Hemp Project
2019-current-Catalyst
Awards/ Grants/ Scholarships /Residencies
2023-Emerging Artist Fellowship through Los Angeles Performace Practice and California Arts Council, Los Angeles, CA
2018-Making Lightly, Atche Art Space, Los Angeles, CA
2016-MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA, Scholarship awarded, Juried by Blair Benjamin
2014-ArtX/LGWU, Long Beach, CA (She and Her Collaboration) Juried by Carole Frances Lung (a.k.a Frau Fiber)
Education
MFA Sculpture New Genres, CSULB, Long Beach, CA, US
BFA Sculpture, New Genres, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, US
2024-Threads of Tomorrow, Museu Têxtil, New Orleans, LA, Curated by Rodrigo Franzao
2021-Nomad, Torrance Art Museum, (off-site), Torrance, CA, Curated by Max Presneill
2021-Wall Hangings, Four Fourteen, Marysville, CA, Curated by Tina Linville & Sarah Cabigas
2019-Material World, William Blizard Gallery, Springfield, MA, Curated by Jessica Poser
2019-Outside Us, Seaver Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Arezoo Bharthania
*2019-Transgenerational, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA, Curated by James MacDevitt
2018-Taking Up Space, Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles, (TSA LA), Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Stacy Wendt
2016-Post Waste, South Bay Contemporary, San Pedro, CA, Curated by Tracey Weiss
2016-Thread, El Camino Community College, Torrance, CA, Curated by Susanna Meiers
*2016-The Warmth of Your Embrace, Makers Mill, North Adams, MA
2015-Fiberlicious, Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Curated by Carol Shaw Sutton & Scott Canty
2015-Abstract Visions Information Mapping from Mystic Diagrams to Data Visualizations, Cerritos College Art Gallery, Norwalk, CA, Curated by James MacDevitt
2014-I'm Not Buying It, The Arcade, Los Angeles, CA, Organized by Skunkworks
Projects
2019-current-HomeGrown: The Hemp Project
2019-current-Catalyst
Awards/ Grants/ Scholarships /Residencies
2023-Emerging Artist Fellowship through Los Angeles Performace Practice and California Arts Council, Los Angeles, CA
2018-Making Lightly, Atche Art Space, Los Angeles, CA
2016-MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA, Scholarship awarded, Juried by Blair Benjamin
2014-ArtX/LGWU, Long Beach, CA (She and Her Collaboration) Juried by Carole Frances Lung (a.k.a Frau Fiber)
Education
MFA Sculpture New Genres, CSULB, Long Beach, CA, US
BFA Sculpture, New Genres, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, US
- Dawn Ertl
- My Value, Your Value, Value (their value)
- Woven
- Dawn Ertl
- My Body, Your Body, Bodies (their bodies)
- Woven
- Dawn Ertl
- My God, Your God, God (their god)
- Woven
- Dawn Ertl
- My Freedom, Your Freedom, Freedom (their freedom)
- Woven
- Dawn Ertl
- My Death, Your Death, Death (their death)/ My Life, Your Life, Life (their life)
- Woven
SHARE THIS PAGE