Mary Ann Breen
Bio
I was born and raised in California, the land of incredible landscapes. The Pacific Ocean pounds on the west coast, the Sierra Nevada mountains rise out of the eastern side, and in between are redwood forests, the Mojave desert and Death Valley. Such places had an impact on me and my art.
I use images of landscape to create imaginary places and events which the viewer can fill in with their own feelings and reflections. I like the intimacy of tiny worlds and the ability they possess to allow others to find commonality in them. The viewer can find their own story in them. I use titles to convey some inspiration or reflection I may have had while creating the work.
The ideas may focus on human delusions, insignificance or arrogance, or day to day thoughts and fears. But I expect different ideas may come to the viewer and I welcome that. I hope the viewer and I can have a small connection through the images, whether we ever meet or not.
Artist Statement
My work is about everyday life, the road, the detours, rabbit holes,conundrums, chaos, and perplexities. I generally use a landscape setting for the exploration of an idea. The viewer may find him or herself in a desert, floating on a raft, or facing fear in the form of a wild animal, a storm, or solitude. Any material that allows me to present my thought will be used to portray the idea. The viewer is invited to step into the scene and watch or create a story for themselves.
~ Mary Ann Breen
Resume - Mary Ann Breen
Education:
University of California, Berkeley, CA 1977-1979
San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 1979-1981
Hunter College, New York, NY 1981-1983
Studio assistant to Sam Richardson 1980-1981
Exhibitions:
San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA April 1980
Artvarks, San Jose, CA May 1980
Young Gallery, San Jose CA August 1980
Markham Gallery, San Jose, CA December 1980
San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA March 1981
Hunter Gallery, New York, NY February 1982
Brookdale Center, New York, NY May 1982
Hunter Gallery, New York, NY April 1983 a
PS 1, New York, NY October 1984
Hunter Gallery, New York, NY November 1984
80 Washington Square East Gallery, NY, NY February 1985
Museum of the Hudson Highlands,
Cornwall on Hudson, NY May 1985
The Emerging Collector, NY, NY November 1986
Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, CA Annually, 1986-93
80 Washington Sq. East Gallery, NY, NY February 1987
Rosicrucian Museum, San Jose, CA Annually, 1987-89
Fine Arts in Metal Gallery, San Jose, CA February 1989
Katia Lacoste Gallery, San Jose, CA December 1990
Hunter Gallery, NY, NY October 1991
Art Foundry Inc., Sacramento, CA October 1995
New Orleans Art Center, New Orleans, LA February 2018 - Currently
Center For Sustainable Development, "Where Land Touches Water" May/June 2021
Scale Workspace July 2021
Studio Waveland, "3D" Summer 2021