Marie Ringwald

I'm fascinated with utilitarian buildings - warehouses, factories, Quonset huts, and all kinds of farm buildings - buildings for working in and for holding materials, animals and goods. For me these buildings embody hopefulness, possibilities, history and sometimes, mystery. I appreciate the elegant design elements, as well as the poetic and emotional associations, of simple vernacular architecture. I like that these utilitarian buildings are made with everyday materials that get wonderfully worn by time and weather, and are sometimes patched like a quilt. My sculptures are constructed and collaged with wood (painted, oiled or stained), rubber, glass and sheet metal - the same materials that make up the buildings that inspire me. I pick and choose appropriate materials - both new and used - and paint, stain, patina and work the surfaces. Some sculptures are based on specific buildings while others come from playing with forms or combinations of materials. Pieces range from fairly representational to abstract. Most are wall mounted while others are free standing.

Born, raised and educated in the Bronx, New York, I earned a BFA from Hunter College, City University of New York in 1970. I then spent a year of graduate studies at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia PA. In 1971 I moved to Washington, DC where I started working and showing with a loosely organized group of women artists. In 1976 I began teaching at the Corcoran College of Art + Design. In addition to teaching, I served as Chairman of the Foundation Department from 1986 to 1989 and 1996 to 2003. I was awarded full professorship in 1992. After taking a leave of absence for the 2003-2004 academic year, I resigned in order to work full time in my studio.

Since 1977 my studio has been in a post civil war era brick building in Washington DC, a town house most likely originally designed to be a boarding house.