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Bonnie Collura

Professor of Art, Sculpture
Professor of Sculpture Bonnie Collura in front of an abstract quilt wall hanging.

Bonnie Collura’s multi-media sculptures, figurative textiles, and outdoor works have contributed to the dialogue of contemporary sculpture for over twenty years in exhibitions spanning the United States, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and India.  Reviews of her work can be seen in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Art Forum, Art in America, Art News, Art Net, Flash Art, BOMB magazine, Beautiful Decay, Tema Celeste, Sculpture Magazine, and numerous print and on-line publications. Holding a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University (1994) and a M.F.A. from Yale University (1996), her work is the recipient of several honors, including a 1997 Emerging Artist Award from the Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, a 2005 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, a 2010 MacDowell Colony Fellowship, and several research grants from Penn State University.  In 2021-2022 the Studio for Sustainability and Social Action (S3a) partnered with Penn State College of Engineering on her trans disciplinary project, “Together, Tacit” which aims to foster creative collaboration between blind, low vision, and sighted individuals. In 2022,  Collura received a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant for the sculptural project, Seven, and became a Penn State University Changing the Future for Women Leaders (CTF) graduate.

Toggling a rigorous studio practice with a dedicated teaching career has led to an investment of art’s purpose through a younger generation in the classroom. In 2021, these two areas of scholarship were recognized through a prestigious Outstanding Educator Award from the International Sculpture Center.

  • Education
    • 1996 – MFA (Sculpture), Yale University
    • 1994 – BFA (Sculpture), Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Honors + Awards
    • 1997 – Emerging Artist Award Recipient, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
    • 2005 – John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship Recipient
    • 2010 – Mac Dowell Colony Fellowship Recipient
    • 2021 – Award for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring Nominee, College of Arts and Architecture
    • 2021 – International Sculpture Center Outstanding Educator Award Recipient
    • 2022 – Foundation for Contemporary Art Grant Recipient
    • 2022 – Change the Future in Women Leadership Recipient
  • Exhibitions + Productions

    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2019

    • “Prince,” Smack Mellon. Brooklyn, New York. January 12–February 24

    2017

    • “Patchwork,” Kustera Projects Redhook. Brooklyn, New York. September 9–October 7
    • “Spillover,” ‘sindikit gallery. Baltimore, Maryland. September 17–October 28

    2011

    • “Bonnie Collura: Select Works,” Kipp Gallery. Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Indiana, Pennsylvania
    • “Doc/Pride/Humility,” Bundensgarten Koblenz. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Koblenz, Germany

    2008

    • “Bonnie Collura/Stan Narten,” Kravets/Wehby Gallery. New York, New York

    2006

    • “The Symptom of Beauty,” Claire Oliver Fine Arts. New York, New York

    2004

    • “Bonnie Collura,” Susan Inglett Gallery. New York, New York

    2003

    • “Rebel Angel,” Susan Inglett Gallery. New York, New York
    • “Dust,” Jessica Murray Projects. Brooklyn, New York

    2001

    • “Koln Sculpture 3,” Cologne Sculpture Park. Koln, Germany

    2000

    • “In the Gutter,” Lehmann Maupin Gallery. New York, New York
    • “Dialogues; Bonnie Collura/Santiago Cucullo,” Walker Art Center. Minneapolis, Minnesota

    1999

    • “Liberty,” Basilico Fine Arts, New York, New York
    • “Kunstwegen,” Nordhorn, Germany

    1998

    • “3Raume 3 Flusse,” Hann Munden, Germany
    • “Concentrations 32: Ann Chu and Bonnie Collura,” Dallas Museum of Art. Dallas, Texas
    • “Passage (From A to C and Back Again),” Basilico Fine Arts. New York, New York

    1997

    • “To the Third,” Janice Guy. New York, New York

    GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2019

    • “Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, and Materials,” Chazen Museum of Art. Madison, Wisconsin. September–January, 2020
    • “Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, and Materials,” Smith College of Art. Northhampton, Massachusetts. February 8–July 28

    2018

    • “Aldrich Undercover,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. September 29
    • “Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, and Materials,” Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Eugene, Oregon. September 22–December 30
    • “Distortions,” Nathalie Karg Gallery. New York, New York. June 27–August 15. Participants include: David Altmejd, Robert Arneson, Jonathan Baldock, Genesis Belanger, Elizabeth Catlett, Carl D’Alvia, Raúl de Nieves, Isa Genzken, Ryan Johnson, Sarah Peters, Sally Saul, Caroline Wells Chandler, H.C. Westermann, and Chloe Wise.
    • “Borderline,” Curated by THE REMIX.  Trestle Gallery. Brooklyn, New York. March 9–April 18. Participants include: Alex Ebstein, Fabienne Laserre, and Adia Millett.
    • “Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, and Materials,” Palmer Museum of Art. University Park, PA. February 13–June 17  participants include: Mark Dion, Willie Cole, Jessica Stockholder, Ann Tarantino, and others (palmermuseum.psu.edu/exhibitions/upcoming/plastic-entanglements-ecology-aesthetics-materials)

    2017

    • “A Call to Action,” Kustera Projects Red Hook. Red Hook, New York. February 11–26

    2016

    • “Visible (Plastic) Entanglements,” Curated by Heather Davis, Joyce Robinson, and Jennifer Wagner Lawlor. Borland Project Space Gallery. University Park, PA. January 11–February 11

    2015

    2014

    2013

    2012

    • “End of Days,” Mixed Greens Gallery. New York, New York. January 12–February 11 (mixedgreens.com/exhibitions/past/Group-Exhibition-End-of-Days-142.html)
    • “Biomorph! Hans Arp im Dialog mit aktuellen Kunstelerpositionen,” Arp Museum.Bahnhof Rolandseck. Remagen, Germany. Participants include: Tony Cragg, Ernesto Neto, and Louise Bourgeois. May, 2011–January 2012

    2011

    • “Studio Practice: Recent Work by SoVA Faculty,” Palmer Museum of Art. University Park, Pennsylvania. September–December. Participants include: Graeme Sullivan, Rudy Shepherd, Stephanie Snyder, Robert Yarber, Helen O’Leary, and Micaela Amato. September 6–December 11
    • “Biomorph! Hans Arp im Dialog mit aktuellen Kunstelerpositionen,” Arp Museum. Bahnhof Rolandseck. Remagen, Germany. Participants include: Tony Cragg, Ernesto Neto, and Louise Bourgeois. May, 2011–January 2012
    • “Ab/Fig,” William Shearburn Gallery. St. Louis, Missouri. November 2010–January 2011

    2010

    • “Ab/Fig,” William Shearburn Gallery. St. Louis, Missouri. November 2010-January 2011 (www.shearburngallery.com/exhibitions/ab-fig)
    • “Aldrich Undercover,” Janine Antoni, Huma Bhaba, Mark Dion, Paul Ramirez Jonas, KAWS, Peggy Preheim, and Alyson Shotz as Artist Chairs. Aldrich Museum of Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut. November 9
    • “Faculty Show,” Zoller Gallery, Penn State School of Visual Arts. State College, Pennsylvania. September 2–30
    • “Websynradio: Bonnie Collura,” Droits de Cites: Plate-forme de Prodcution et de Diffusion de Consensus Multimedia. Paris, France. September 2–9 (droitdecites.org/websynradio)
    • “Visual Ensemble: An Exhibition of Paintings/Photographs/Video Installations,” Shrishti Art Gallery. Hyderabad, India. June 2010. Participants include: Bonnie Collura (USA), Christian Huvet (FRANCE), Irina Gabian (GEORGIA), Manohar Chilveru, and V. Shrinath (INDIA). Show travels to Kerela, Mumbai, India, London, Washington, DC, USA
    • “Art for Haiti:a Benefit for Solidarite Haitenne,” The Meeting House at Friends Seminary. New York City, New York. May 5

    2009

    • “Finding the Animal in Myth and Parable,” Zoller Gallery, Penn State School of Visual Arts. State College, Pennsylvania. April 2–30

    2008

    • “Aldrich Undercover,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut. November 2008
    • “Light as a Feather,” La Mama La Galerita. New York, New York. November 2008
    • “Beauty’s Burden,” Educational Alliance. New York, New York. September–October 2008
    • “In My Solitude,” Aeroplastics Contemporary. Antwerp, Belgium. November 2007–January 2008 (previous.aeroplastics.net/2007_in_my_solitude)

    2007

    • “In My Solitude,” Aeroplastics Contemporary. Antwerp Belgium. November 16 2007-January 12 2008 (previous.aeroplastics.net/2007_in_my_solitude)
    • “Wide Open,” McCaig Welles Gallery. Brooklyn, New York. September 2007
    • “Lasso,” ArtSpace Gallery/Yale University. New Haven, Connecticut. October 2007
    • “LMCC Benefit Auction,” Lower Manhattan Cultural Council of New York. May 2007

    2006

    • “Aldrich Undercover,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut
    • “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” Claire Oliver Fine Arts. New York, New York

    2005

    • “HVCCA Benefit Auction,” Robert Miller Gallery. New York

    2004

    • “Here, There, and Everywhere,” Susan Inglett Gallery, New York
    • “Armory Art Fair,” New York, New York
    • “Compound Interest,” Collaborative Concepts, Beacon New York

    2003

    • “Intricacy,” Curated by Greg Lynn. Yale University Architecture Gallery. New Haven, Connecticut
    • “Intricacy,” Institute of Contemporary Art. Philadelphia, PA (icaphila.org/exhibitions/1785/intricacy)
    • “GAN-URA-ADE_AUGN-YER,” FAB Gallery. Virginia Commonwealth University. Richmond, Virginia

    2002

    • “Early Acclaim: Emerging Artists Award Recipients 1997–2001,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut.
    • “Grotto,” Jessica Murray Projects. Brooklyn, New York
    • “Officina America ReteEmiliaRomagna,” Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Bologna, Italy
    • “Off the Grid: Works on Paper,” Lehmann Maupin Gallery. New York, New York

    2001

    • “New Work: Group Show,” Lehmann Maupin Gallery. New York, New York
    • “Off the Wall,” Gallery 400. Chicago, Illinois
    • “About the Bayberry Bush,” Parrish Art Museum. Southampton, New York
    • “Wonderland,” Massachusetts College of Art. Boston, Massachusetts
    • “Pixerina Wicherina,” Illinois State University Art Galleries. Chicago, Illinois
    • “TRANS>Editions,” Chac Mool Gallery. Los Angeles, California

    2000

    “Dialogues; Bonnie Collura/Santiago Cucullo,” Walker Art Center. Minneapolis, Minnesota

    “Rendez Vous,” Musee d’Art Contemporain. Avignon, France

    “Never Never Land,” Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton, Florida

    “Collectors Choice,” Exit Art Gallery. New York, New York

    1999

    • “Best of the Season,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut
    • “Free Coke,” Green Naftali Gallery. New York, New York

    1998

    • “Art on Paper,” Weatherspoon Art Museum. Greensboro, North Carolina
    • “Pop Surrealism,” Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art. Ridgefield, Connecticut
    • “Deep Thought,” Basilico Fine Arts. New York, New York
    • “Spectacular Optical,” Thread Waxing Space. New York, New York
    • “Spectacular Optical,” Museum of Contemporary Art. Miami, Florida
    • “Salon on 75 Roebling,” Roebling Hall. Brooklyn, New York

    1997

    • “Pagan Stories; The Situations of Narrative in Recent Art,” Apex Art. New York, New York
    • “One Thing in Common,” 1708 Gallery. Richmond, Virginia
    • “Cecily Brown, Bonnie Collura, Anna Gaskell,” Janice Guy. New York, New York
    • “Tales of SAFU,” Salon 75. Brooklyn, New York, New York

    1996

    • “25 Younger Artists,” John Webber Gallery. New York, New York
  • Publications + Presentations

    https://sculpturemagazine.art/mutable-bodies-a-conversation-with-bonnie-collura/

    https://www.hallwalls.org/visual/6282.html

    https://sculpture.org/page/educator-award

    PUBLICATIONS

    2019

    2018

    • Palmer Museum of Art, “Plastic Entanglements: Ecology, Aesthetics, Materials,” Exhibition Catalog (page 13)
    • Adamson, Glenn, “Elective Affinities,” Modern Magazine (page 69). Winter 2018
      modernmag.com/elective-affinities/

    2017

    2015

    2014

    2013

    2012

    2011

    • “Walker Art Center’s Midnight Party Reveals Dreams, Fantasies, Private Visions, and Meditations of more than 90 Artists,” Walker Art Center. February 25
      walkerart.org/press-releases/2013/walker-art-centers-midnight-party-reveals-dre
    • “Bonnie Collura: Select Works,” Catalog Exhibition
    • Wick, Rainer K., “Art Transforms: Sculptures and Installations to the Federal Horticultural Show Koblenz,” Musenblatter.de. July 7
      www.musenblaetter.de/artikel.php?aid=8924
    • Todorova, Gergana, “Bonnie Collura: Doc/Pride/Humility, 2011,” Kunst verwandelt. Skulpturen & Instalationen Auf Der Bundesgartenschau Koblenz (pages 36–37)
    • Strelow, Heike, “Hans Arp Betwegtes Tanzgeschmeide, 1960/70,” Kunst verwandelt. Skulpturen & Instalationen Auf Der Bundesgartenschau Koblenz (pages 32–33)
    • Strelow, Heike, “Filled with Life: Body and Mind,” Contemporary Artists in Dialog with Hans Apr, Biomorph Catalog (pages 34, 78–79)
    • “Bonnie Collura: Faculty in the School of Visual Arts,” Studio Practice: Recent Work by SoVA Faculty catalog

    2010

    2009

    2008

    2007

    2006

    2004

    • Korotin, Joyce, “The Neo-Baroque Era,” TEME CELESTE. July—August 2004
    • Heartney, Eleanor, “Bonnie Collura at Susan Inglett,” Art in America. March 2004

    2003

    • Johnson, Ken, “Bonnie Collura, Rebel Angel,” New York Times. October 26
    • Jana, Reena, “Bonnie Collura, Susan Inglett,” Artnews (page 121). December 2003
    • “Sculpture Forever (part II),” Flash Art (page 101)
    • Bennett, Heather, “Impenetrable Myth,” Gallery Bill (pages 37–39)
    • Lynn, Greg, “Intricacy: A Project by Greg Lynn Form,” catalogue
    • Ryan, Zoe, “Intricacies of Lynn’s Mind,” Blueprint (page 89)
    • Architectureink, “ICA: Intricacy Curated by Greg Lynn,” Architectureink.com
      www.architectureink.com/2002-10/intricacy/intricacy.htm
    • Pollack, Barbara, “The Prince Project: Dust,” Time Out New York (page 47). January 23–30
    • Smith, Roberta, “The Prince Project: Dust,” The New York Times. January 31

    2002

    • de Ferrari, Gabriella, “Bonnie Collura: Snowman,” Koln Skulpture3 (pages 40–45)
    • Barilli, Renato, “Art Drifts,” Officina America (page 33)

    2001

    • Morena, Gana. “Boca Raton, Florida”
    • Schaffner, Ingrid, “Artist Projects: About the Bayberry Bush,” Art Papers (page 37). “Bonnie Collura” (pages 58–60). May–June
    • Von Gunter Engelhard, “Auf DemGrenzpfad Der Fantasie,” Art Das Kunst-Magazin (pages 70–72)

    2000

    • Dixon, W. Wheeler, “The Second Century of Cinema, the Past and Future of the Moving Image,” “Chapter 4: The Commodification of Desire and the Disruptive Figure of Paul Robeson,” (page 155)
    • Fogle, Douglas, “Dialogues: Bonnie Collura and Santiago Cuccullo”
    • Abbe, Mary, “Raiders,” Star Tribune (pages 10-12). July 14.
    • Giovannotti, Micaela, “Bonnie Collura, Lehmann Maupin,” TEME CELESTE (page 86). July–September
    • Cotter, Holand, “Bonnie Collura,” The New York Times. May 12
    • Pederson, Victoria, “Gallery Go Round,” Paper (page 140). May 2000
    • Levin, Kim, “Masters of the Universe,” The Village Voice (page 125). May 23.
      www.villagevoice.com/2000-05-16/art/masters-of-the-universe/full/
    • Schmerler, Sarah, “Bonnie Collura, In the Gutter,” Time Out New York (page 63). May 25.

    1999

    • “Bonnie Collura,” ZOO, Issue 2 (pages 160-161). July 1999
    • Jones, Ronald, “Bonnie Collura,” 3 Raume–3 Flusse (pages 21-27)
    • Dominigue, Nahas, “Heads and Tails,” Review (page 26). April 15
    • Maxwell, Douglas, “Bonnie Collura,” Review (page 26). April 15
    • Scott, Andrea, “Bonnie Collura,” Time Out New York (page 63). April 15-22
    • “Bonnie Collura,” The New Yorker. April 19
    • Levin, Kim, “Choices; Bonnie Collura,” The Village Voice (page 103). April 13
    • Caniglia, Julie, “Bonnie Collura,” Sidewalk New York
    • Weinstein, Joel, “Anne Chu and Bonnie Collura,” Sculpture Magazine (pages 73–74). March 1999
    • Schwarze, Sirk, “Am Und Uber Dem Flusse,” Kunstforum (pages 474-475). January–February

    1998

    • Jones, Ronald, ‘The Best of 1998,” Art Forum (page 108). December
    • Tyson, Janet, “Body of Work,” Star Telegram (pages 1F, 3F). November 7
    • “Spectacular Optical,” Flash Art (page 48). November–December
    • “Triad Als Symbol Der Drei Flusse,” HNA Sonntagzeit. November 8
    • Schwarze, Von Dirk, “Den Mythos Greifbar Machen,” HNA Mundener All Gemaine (page 24). November 6
    • Kutner, Janet, “Artists Cast the Familiar in Eccentric Light,” The Dallas Morning News (pages 1-3C). November 4
    • Weaver, Suzanne, “Concentrations 32: Anne Chu and Bonnie Collura,”
    • Koplos, Janet, “Bonnie Collura at Basilico,” Art in America (pages 124–125). September 1998
    • Hobberman, J., “Film Noir,” Village Voice. June 30
    • Smith, Roberta, “Spectacular Optical,” The New York Times (page 33). July 3
    • Hunt, David, “Bonnie Collura, Basilico Fine Arts,” Flash Art (page 138). Summer 1998
    • Saltz, Jerry, “Jason Dodge: Helsinki,” Time Out New York (page 63). May 7–14
    • Berman, Jennifer, “Bonnie Collura,” BOMB Magazine (page 12). April 1
      bombmagazine.org/article/5253/bonnie-collura
    • Schwendener, Martha, “Bonnie Collura: Passage,” Time Out New York (page 45). February 5–12
    • Smith, Roberta, “Bonnie Collura,” The New York Times (page E36). January 30
    • Ritchie, Matthew, “The Untold Story,” Performing Arts Journal (pages 87–90). January 1998
      muse.jhu.edu/article/25663
    • Eller, Thomas, “Das Narrative Kehrt zuruck,” Nue Bildende Kunst. December–January

    1997

    • Cameron, Dan, “1997 in Review: Dan Cameron on the Endless Biennial,” Art Forum. December–January
    • Saltz, Jerry, “Pagan Stories: The Situations of Narrative in recent Art,” Time Out New York. November 13–20
    • Kraynak, Janet, “Pagan Stories: The Situations of Narrative in Recent Art”
      www.apexart.org/exhibitions/kraynak.php
    • Avgikos, Jan, “Bonnie Collura at Janice Guy,” ArtForum (pages 101-102). October 1997
    • Saltz, Jerry, “Bonnie Collura at Janice Guy,” Time Out New York

    PUBLIC LECTURES

    • 2019 Keystone College of Art
    • 2017 The Walters Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
    • 2017 The Chautauqua Institute School of Visual Arts
    • 2016 Borland Project Space Gallery. University Park, Pennsylvania
    • 2016 Wexner Center for the Arts. Columbus, Ohio
    • 2016 Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, University of New Haven. Connecticut
    • 2015 William Patterson University. Wayne, New Jersey
    • 2014 Pratt MWP. Utica, New York.
    • 2013 Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. University Park, Pennsylvania
    • 2012 California Institute of the Arts. Valencia, California
    • 2011 Cranbrook Academy of Art. Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
    • 2011 Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Indiana, Pennsylvania
    • 2011 Palmer Museum of Art. State College, Pennsylvania
    • 2010, 2015 Ohio State University. Columbus, Ohio
    • 2008 Rutgers University. New Brunswick, New Jersey
    • 2008 Syracuse University. Syracuse, New York
    • 2007 Salem Community College. Carneys Point, New Jersey
    • 2007 New York Academy of Art. New York, New York
    • 2006 Parsons School of Design. New York, New York
    • 2006  Penn State University School of Visual Arts. University Park, Pennsylvania
    • 2005 University of the Arts. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • 2004 Tyler School of Art. Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
    • 2004 Virginia Commonwealth University. Richmond, Virginia
    • 2003 Yale University. New Haven, Connecticut.
    • 2003 Rhode Island School of Design. Providence, Rhode Island
    • 2003 Panel Discussion; Intricacy. University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • 2002 New York University School of Visual Arts
    • 2001 Hunter College. New York, New York
    • 2001 Massachusetts College of Art. Boston, Massachusetts
    • 2000 Florida Atlantic University. Boca Raton, Florida
    • 1999 Maryland Institute College of Art. Baltimore, Maryland
    • 1999 Columbia University. New York, New York
  • Service + Affiliations

    2020

    • AXA Art Prize

    2016

    • The Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship Sculpture Category
    • Southern California Institute of Architecture final reviews

    2007

    • The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
  • Expertise
    • Sculpture
    • Installation
    • Public Sculpture
    • Drawing
    • Flexible Mold Making
    • Social Body