Artist Statement
I am a mixed media painter, working with pigment, charcoal, encaustic, and ink to create a catalogue of images that relate my perceptions. Images are repeated, developing conclusions that point to the unnatural and destructive behavior of humanity, whose collective view insists on being the exception to the laws of nature. My most recent work continues a process of reflection, adding elements of humor and hope.The characters are disturbed, yet are set in a familiar illustrative context. The combination of layered materials and concentrated attention inextricably link the process of automatic drawing and repetition to the preoccupation with finding meaning and satisfaction in life.
The characters are formed from daily social observations and experiences, and are fed by my own paranoia and curiosity. Faded and dreaming, the characters are embalmed in an encaustic film applied to the surface. This surface echoes the obscuring lens worn by many who have become inured by the life that they are presented. The work serves as a record of my observations and the need to review the examples of absurdity in hopes of avoiding the same fate.
Resume
Exhibitions/Performances (Solo Shows *)2008
Here Be Monsters: An Abridged Bestiary of Contemporary Monsters, Both Real and Imagined (March 7-April 2) Flanders 311, Raleigh, NC
*Reluctant Passengers (March 1- May 4)- Tomato Head Knoxville and Maryville, TN
2007
Conjoined and Congealed (December 13-January 4, 2008)- Bobo's Gallery, Asheville, NC
Brand Fandango (December 7-21)- Design Box, Raleigh, NC
Dead Eyes. New Work from Julie Armbruster and Alli Good (October 12-November 6)- Front Gallery at Woolworth Walk, Asheville, NC
*Peaceful Until Provoked (September 19-January 14, 2008)- Early Girl, Asheville, NC
Art-o-Mat 10th Anniversary (August 18)- Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, NC
Selected Works (July 2007-present) — Rebus Works, Raleigh, NC
Your Finger is A Cuss Word (July- August) — BoBos Gallery, Asheville, NC
Faith, Truth, and Uncertainty (July 13-August 21) — Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission, Chapel Hill, NC
Art-O-Mat "Beasts" (June-present) — Various Locations, USA
Segment 16 Presents "Love Child" (February) — Push Gallery, Asheville, NC
Segment 16 Presents "Inch Worm" (March) — Harvest Records, Asheville, NC
*Bumblefooted (January 6- February 3) — Tomato Head, Knoxville, TN
2006
Art-O-Mat "Segment Society" (October -present) — Various Locations, USA
*Continuous Narrative (February 27 –January 15) — Early Girl, Asheville, NC
Segment 16 Presents "Virgin Birth" (March 17-April 17) — PUSH Gallery, Asheville, NC
2005
Segment 16 Artist Collective Formed (January) — Asheville, NC
*Satisfaction Survey (October 6-November 3) — Harvest Records, Asheville, NC
2004
Altars of Alternative Religions (November 16- December 30) — Sky People Gallery, Asheville, NC
Benefit for Annya Gutierrez (November 13) — The Big Idea, Asheville, NC
*Show Your Teeth (November 1-30) — Montford Art Center, Asheville, NC
MA Thesis Show (August 2-6) — 80 Washington Square Galleries, New York University, New York, NY
2003
Summer Show (August 23-27) — Intituto Universitario di Architettura, Venice, Italy
Clara E Gli Americani Autori-Tratto (July 5-9) — Salone Dell'aab, Brescia, Italy
Corner Booth Performance Project (December-June) — 253 Bushwick Ave., Brooklyn, NY
Delusions of Grandeur (April 19-May 10) — South of Howard, Hibbing, MN
Commissions
Wall Mural United Way Building — Asheville, NC — 2005
Pediatric Adolescent Specialty Unit Beautification Project And Arts Enrichment — Mission Hospital Asheville, NC — 2007-present
Bibliograhy
Catalogue for Group Exhibition, NYU — Venice, Italy 2002
Catalogue for Group Exhibition, NYU — Venice, Italy 2003
Clara E Gli Americani Autori-Tratto Show Catalogue, Brescia, Italy
Feature Article, Ashevillle, NC
Asheville Citizen Times Newspaper "Young Artist Finds Her Voice." 2005
Gallery Gossip (March 29-April 4)
Asheville Citizen Times Newspaper 2006
Independent The Triangles Weekly Newspaper "Indy Picks: Here Be Monsters" March 5, 2008
Knoxville Voice "Julie Armbruster: Asheville by way of NYC artist shows her work at Tomato Head" March 6, 2008
Education
Masters of Art in Studio Art (August 2004) — New York University, New York, NY
Bachelors of Science in Art Education (May 2001) — State University of New York at New Paltz