The Art and Art History Department has announced that the artist-in-residence for 2014 will be J. Morgan Puett.
Known internationally for her work in fashion and conceptual installation, Puett has been featured in the New York Times, Art in America, Art Forum, London Telegraph and Kuntsforum International. Her work has been shown around the world, including in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague, Czech Republic.
The purpose of the artist-in-residence is to bring a new idea of art and art culture to campus and the community, said Brian Snapp, chairman of the College of Art and Art History.
“She will bring an art practice to campus that we do not offer,” he said. “I doubt any campus offers what she is going to do.”
Puett runs an open studio and offers a new approach to creating and experiencing art. She describes her current installment, called “Mildred’s Lane,” in a press release as “a home and experimental school interested in fostering new modes of social engagement in the world, with the environment and people in mind.”
The artist-in-residence position is meant to add culture to the art community at the U, Snapp said. The artist works with students and community members to broaden their view and access to art, as well as provide alternative ideas to what art is.
“The work she develops creates an environment for people to participate in forms of new ideation,” Snapp said.
Puett will be teaching an interdisciplinary course during the Spring 2014 semester available to graduate students, seniors and juniors.
A committee made their selection for the artist-in-residence from a list of 40 suggestions compiled from faculty, students and Utah Museum of Fine Arts staff.
The position is provided by the Marva and John Warnock endowment. Previous artists-in-residence include Ernesto Pujol in 2010 and Andrea Bowers in 2012.