Callie Clark Wiren (American, b. 1979) works in multiple mediums exploring cultural memory and identity both in the private and public realms. In addition to her art practice, She also writes about art and society for various publications. She is currently based in Chicago while pursuing her MFA at Columbia College Chicago.
Early in life she worked in traditional mediums, primarily photography, but has transitioned into new media, developing work using lighting installations, performance, and social practice.
In her early work her thoughts on memory and identity focused on self/portraiture. Callie Clark Wiren continues to be highly interested in the question, “What is a portrait?” She composes conceptual self/portraits from a theoretical perspective, as in Self Portrait as a House (1999) and Photo Journal Pages (2007). “I want to create portraits that speak to identity and how memory influences it. As such, much of my work is deeply personal, drawing upon my own disabilities and memories of life and family.”
Currently, her the exploration of memory and identity has turned outward to societal memories and their influence on contemporary societal trends. In the development of her new work she is taking into consideration cultural and historical symbolism and linguistics, comparing the past, present, and future states of American society.
Education
MFA in Fine Art (2024)
Columbia College Chicago
Thesis: TBD
MA in Cultural Memory (2006)
University of London, School of Advanced Study
Dissertation: “Ancestral Portraiture” (Dr Patrizia di Bello, Birkbeck College)
BA in Art History and Education (2004)
University of Minnesota, College of Continuing Education
Focus: Theories of Cultural Identity in American Visual Arts
Exhibitions
2022
Porous Annual Salon. Porous Gallery (Chicago, IL)
2020
IVA Graduate Spring Review. Gallery 181 (Ames, IA)
2008
Member’s Exhibit. Saint Paul Photographer’s Cooperative (St. Paul, MN)
2007
MAP Gala. The Soap Factory (Minneapolis, MN)
Lateral Portraits. Minnesota Center for Photography (Minneapolis, MN)
2001
Gallery artist. Artlines Gallery (Minneapolis, MN) 2001-2003
2000
Solo Show. Chestnut Tree Café (Saint Peter, MN)
Conferences & Presentations
2008
Journey to the Surface of the Earth: Margaret Pezalla-Granlund and Max Schollett. Critic’s Trialogue. Minneapolis Institute of Art. December. (Minneapolis, MN)
Critics’ Talk. Franconia Sculpture Garden. (Shafer, MN)
2007
Ancestral Portraiture. Art & Psyche Conference, Carl Jung Institute. (San Francisco, CA)