Carly Owens (b. 1995) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Boulder, Colorado. As an artist, Carly is interested in the violence of contrasts and navigating the feelings that arise in a place where the familiar and comforting are juxtaposed with something unsettling. The tensions between comedy and tragedy, luster and litter and seduction and repulsion greatly informs her work. Ultimately, she is seeking and exploring the phenomena of the uncanny. Carly utilizes recognizable objects, often food or domestic themed, and gives the viewer access to a realm in which these objects become irrational and strange. She often draws parallels between these objects, the body and the experiences lived within them to create contemporary vanitas imagery. The investigation of surface is paramount to Carly's work. Her pieces are rendered beautifully in contrast with the dark complexities that lie beneath the work's surface.
Please send any inquiries to carlyowensembroidery@gmail.com
Education
2013-2017
BAD Art+Design North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
2017
Marchesa- couture embroidery intern, New York NY, USA
Hand & Lock (Couture Tambour Beading Course), Chicago USA
2016
Royal School of Needlework, East Molesey, United Kingdom
Asheville School for the Apparel Arts, Asheville NC, USA
BAD Art+Design North Carolina State University, Raleigh NC, USA
2017
Marchesa- couture embroidery intern, New York NY, USA
Hand & Lock (Couture Tambour Beading Course), Chicago USA
2016
Royal School of Needlework, East Molesey, United Kingdom
Asheville School for the Apparel Arts, Asheville NC, USA
Exhibitions
2023
Benefit Art Auction/ Exhibition, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha NE, USA
2022
Touch Me Baby, BAD Art Presents x The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London UK
Benefit Art Auction/ Exhibition, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha NE, USA
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
Let Them Eat Fake, BAD Art Presents x The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London UK
Mad For Hoops, Gallery 2052, Chicago, IL USA
2021
MAD About Jewelry, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY USA
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO USA
American Craft Council: Baltimore Craft Week (virtual)
2020
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
Virtual Studio Tour, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
2019
Penland School of Craft- Studio Assistant Artist Talk, Penland NC, USA
Penland School of Craft Summer Session 6 Scholarship Auction, Penland NC, USA
2017
Hand & Lock The Prize Exhibition, Bishopgate Institute, London UK
Fish Market Gallery, Raleigh NC, USA
Art2Wear Juried Exhibition, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
Stitching a Cultural Identity, Brooks Hall (NCSU College of Design), Raleigh NC, USA
Benefit Art Auction/ Exhibition, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha NE, USA
2022
Touch Me Baby, BAD Art Presents x The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London UK
Benefit Art Auction/ Exhibition, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Omaha NE, USA
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
Let Them Eat Fake, BAD Art Presents x The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London UK
Mad For Hoops, Gallery 2052, Chicago, IL USA
2021
MAD About Jewelry, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY USA
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO USA
American Craft Council: Baltimore Craft Week (virtual)
2020
ARTMIX, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
Virtual Studio Tour, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder CO, USA
2019
Penland School of Craft- Studio Assistant Artist Talk, Penland NC, USA
Penland School of Craft Summer Session 6 Scholarship Auction, Penland NC, USA
2017
Hand & Lock The Prize Exhibition, Bishopgate Institute, London UK
Fish Market Gallery, Raleigh NC, USA
Art2Wear Juried Exhibition, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
Stitching a Cultural Identity, Brooks Hall (NCSU College of Design), Raleigh NC, USA
Residencies
2024
Penland School of Craft Winter Residency (full fellowship), Penland, NC
2023
Vermont Studio Center (Windgate/ VSC Fellowship), Johnson VT
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown NC
Penland School of Craft Winter Residency (full fellowship), Penland, NC
2023
Vermont Studio Center (Windgate/ VSC Fellowship), Johnson VT
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown NC
Studio Assistantships
2019
Penland School of Craft (Textiles Studio), Katherine Diuguid & Nick Deford, Penland NC, USA
2017
Katherine Diuguid, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
North Carolina Museum of Art (Project Manager) Greg Lindquist, Raleigh NC, USA
Penland School of Craft (Textiles Studio), Katherine Diuguid & Nick Deford, Penland NC, USA
2017
Katherine Diuguid, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
North Carolina Museum of Art (Project Manager) Greg Lindquist, Raleigh NC, USA
Awards/ Honors
2024
Penland Winter Artist-in-Residence Full Fellowship, Penland NC
2023
Vermont Studio Center Artist-in-Residence Full Fellowship, Johnson VT
2017
Finalist- Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, London, United Kingdom
Project NCMA- 2nd place, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh NC, USA
ART2WEAR Designer Award for Excellence in Design + Production, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
Noble McDuffie Travel Scholarship, Raleigh NC, USA
2013-2017
Charles L. Tate Scholarship, Raleigh NC, USA
Penland Winter Artist-in-Residence Full Fellowship, Penland NC
2023
Vermont Studio Center Artist-in-Residence Full Fellowship, Johnson VT
2017
Finalist- Hand & Lock Prize for Embroidery, London, United Kingdom
Project NCMA- 2nd place, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh NC, USA
ART2WEAR Designer Award for Excellence in Design + Production, Raleigh NC, USA
2016
Noble McDuffie Travel Scholarship, Raleigh NC, USA
2013-2017
Charles L. Tate Scholarship, Raleigh NC, USA
Galleries
Chicago, IL - Gallery 2052
Stockists
Marfa, TX- Mira Marfa
Denver, CO- Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA Denver)
Key West, FL - Luna Key West
Denver, CO- Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA Denver)
Key West, FL - Luna Key West