Artist Statement, Biography, Press & Résumé
Artist Statement
Since 1995, Ferrill Roman's professional art practice has revolved around researching, creating and exhibiting handmade-paper-based sculptures and installations, utilizing paper for its aesthetic qualities, its versatility, and its metaphoric potential. Through her explorations, she has experimented with many types of paper fibers and techniques; including creating hand-beaten paper from the plants in her yard, to working with abaca, flax, cotton, recycled paper and other fibers. She has cast paper into hollow molds to create solid objects, weaved and pieced it over and through open branch and wire armatures and layered it over convex molds and objects to produce hollow paper forms. She developed a process for using chalk and oil pastels with beeswax, powdered pigment, and a heat gun to create translucent waxy marked and toned surfaces, incorporated natural elements into the surfaces of works, explored the interplay of form and surface with text & image on sculptural forms, and created works with internal illumination.
In her earlier sculptures, she worked with waxed handmade paper “skins” stretched over armatures made of bound tree branches reminiscent of bones, to explore the intersection of the human body with natural forms and phenomena. She created human-scaled pod and chrysalis forms and “natural” iterations of human-made artifacts and vessels such as fireplaces, chairs, windows, and boats; the objects evoked a primordial sense of place, and conjured ideas of metamorphosis and interconnection with the natural world.
As her work evolved, she embarked on a long-term collaborative project with Mixed-media painter Kimberly MacArthur Graham; the two artists created “Cross Pollination”: a series of artworks that dealt with concepts of fertility and fecundity, manifestations of spirit and soul, and the beauty and underlying patterns found both in natural forms and the structure of human bodies. Part painting and part sculpture, the works became visual conversations where each artist’s work supported and complemented the other’s, and where the meaning of each piece was more clearly manifest through the intersection of contrasting media and aligned styles. She has also worked collaboratively with ceramic artist Katie Martineau Caron, digital artist, painter, and printmaker Judy Gardner, glass artist Donna Gordon, painter and digital artist Lynn Heitler, and art-furniture maker Gary Burditt.
Her persistent investigations of micro/macrocosms and human/nature congruencies are evident in her most recent installations, characterized by the interplay of delicate cast handmade paper objects reminiscent of cellular images, internal bodily structures, or molecular biology, – though many of the forms also read as celestial – combined with a hollow paper casting of the front of the artist's very-pregnant torso, internal lights, and other elements. The interrelationship of these paper objects, the spaces they inhabit, and particularly the lighting and shadow play on the walls and floor, create surreal environments for the viewer to move through and become part of. They communicate thematically about intensely personal experiences such as her son’s birth, her mother’s death, and a struggle to conceive a second child that ended in multiple miscarriages.
Recently, Ferrill Roman has begun creating a series of digital photographic collages. These works also address her persistent themes in a more oblique way; with these works, she has layered three or more source photographs to create colorful complex images that hint at a sense of narrative or an emotional state. Sources include original photographs of trees, snow fields, dramatic cloudy skies, and various plants and flying insects (butterflies and dragonflies) in naturally-occurring settings during different seasons, as well as photographs of elements and detail views from my installations. The resulting layered images read as internal mental landscapes; the interwoven images are subtle metaphors for the struggles and transformations resulting from frustrated desire, loss and change.
Biography
Bonnie Ferrill Roman (BFA summa 1993 – CU Denver, MFA Fellow 1997 – U of MN) is a Colorado-based mixed-media sculptor, installation artist, and digital photographer whose primary medium is cast and formed handmade paper, which she combines with fibers, natural media, encaustic, pigment printing, poetry, and light. Her work exhibits a contemporary aesthetic and resonates with metaphoric underpinnings and layered meanings, while simultaneously evoking a visceral experience of beauty and wonder for the viewer. In addition to her solo artwork, Ms. Ferrill Roman enjoys collaborating with like-minded artists, and has created extensive bodies of work collaboratively with painters, sculptors, print makers, ceramic & glass artists, digital artists, installation artists, and even a furniture designer.
Ms. Ferrill Roman has shown her artwork widely and consistently since 1992 in local, regional, and national exhibitions in galleries and art centers – including numerous solo shows and a retrospective, and has been acquired by corporate and private collections across the US. Her work has garnered praise through awards and via articles published in books, magazines, and newspapers locally and nationally. From 1997 - 2019, she taught Sculpture, 2D & 3D Design, Hand Papermaking, Fiber Art Survey, Art in Culture and Introduction to Art classes at CU-Denver, Regis University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, either as a visiting assistant professor or in an adjunct/affiliate capacity. In Fall 2020 she returned to CU-Denver for her alternative teaching license and simultaneously began teaching visual art at DPS School Florida Pitt Waller K-8. In Fall 2022, she transitioned to teaching Ceramics, Jewelry, Sculpture, and Fiber & Textile Arts at St. Mary’s Academy High School in Cherry Hills Village in Englewood, CO. She has conducted occasional summer hand-papermaking workshops from her home studio in Wheat Ridge, CO, where she lives with her husband and son and their two cats.
Press
Front & Back Cover of November 2021 print issue of DARIA Magazine (Denver Art Review, Inquiry, and Analysis)
CATALYST by Laura I. Miller, exhibition review, photo, & Magazine cover photo, DARIA Magazine p. 10 - 11, November 2021
3-D Studio Demo Artist Bonnie Ferrill Roman Interview with 2 photos, DenverArtMuseum.org, Jan 26, 2018
Photo featured in exhibition promotion for Paper.Works at the Arvada Center for the Arts: DenverArts.org, 31 May 2017
100 Colorado Creatives 3.0: Bonnie Ferrill Roman, artist profile, interview, 5 photos, by Susan Froyd, WESTWORD, Thursday November 10th, 2016.
”Authentic Visual Voices: Contemporary Paper & Encaustic” digital publication by Catherine Nash
Boulder Library Launches ‘Pink Progression’ Exhibit Inspired by Women’s March by Sydney Worth, Boulder Daily Camera, 2/19/2018
20 Questions with…Bonnie Ferrill Roman interview, HeliconGallery.com June 5, 2014
Bonnie Ferrill Roman’s Artwork, The Mountain Mail, Salida Colorado, January 3, 2014
Met Life, review by Michael Paglia, Westword, Denver, Colorado, 2009
Working Jointly is Twice as Nice, article + 2 photos, Denver Post, Denver, CO 2007
Artists Team Up for Unique Exhibit, 2 pg. review + 2 photos, Canyon Courier, Evergreen, CO 2006
Bonnie Ferrill Roman: Back Into Nature, 2 pg. interview with 3 photographs, Colorado Modern Magazine, 2005
Keeping it Real, Cover photo & review The Denver Post, Denver, Co 2006
On Core!, Exhibition Preview with photo, WESTWORD Denver, Colorado, 2006
New Downtown Stoneheart Gallery Warms the Artistic Heart, Canyon Courier, Evergreen, CO 2006
Exhibit a Fusion of Styles, review by Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO 2002
Branching Out, feature article and photo by Mary Voelz Chandler, Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO 2001
It’s A Home Run, review by Michael Paglia, WESTWORD, Denver, CO 2001
Art Carnival, Magic Theatre at Andenken Gallery review, Go-Go Magazine, Denver, CO 2001
New Memories for Andenken, review, Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO 2001
Artbeat, review & photo, WESTWORD, Denver, CO 2001
Sticks and Stones, feature article and photo, WESTWORD, Denver, CO, 1999
21st Annual Jurored Exhibition cover photo & catalog page, published by Salina Art Center, Salina, KS, 1999
An Array of “Abstraction”, review, Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO, 1999
The Essence of Humanity – On Display, review and photo, Advocate, Denver, CO, 1999
Turning Art into Life Itself, review, Rocky Mountain News, Denver, CO, 1999
UCD's Art Faculty Displays Their Best, review and cover photo, Advocate, Denver, CO, 1997
Industrial Strength, review, WESTWORD, Denver, Colorado, 1993
Spark of Talent, review, WESTWORD, by Hart Hill, Denver, Colorado, 1992
Resume / Vitae
EDUCATION
Alternative Teaching License - Visual Art Endorsement, Colorado; Aspire Program, CU-Denver, 2020-2021
Master of Fine Art - Sculpture; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, 1997
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture Emphasis, Summa cum Laude, University of Colorado at Denver, CO, 1993
Theater Arts/Education Major, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, 1987-89
RECOGNITION & AWARDS
People’s Choice Award in Home To Roost – part of the annual Home Show, Natl. Western Complex, Feb 2014
Westword’s Best of Denver 2010 – Group Art Show for Collective Nouns at CVA, 2009
Juror’s Award - All Colorado Juried Exhibition Curtis Arts & Humanities Center, Greenwood Village, CO, 2006
Second Place – Mixed Media Celebrate Colorado Artists Festival, Denver, CO, 2002
Juror’s Award -and- People’s Choice Award Salina Art Center, Salina KS, 2000
Graduate Student Fellowship University of Minnesota, 1994-96
Outstanding Senior in the School of the Arts - 1993 University of Colorado, Denver, 1993
Recognition of Excellence - School of the Arts Awarded by the Associated Students of CU-Denver, 1993
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Nominated by CU-Denver, 1993
National Dean's List Nominated by School of the Arts, University of Colorado, Denver, 1993
Fine Arts Fellowships School of the Arts, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, 1991, 1992
Honorable Mention W.O.W! Juried Exhibition, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO, 1991
SOLO & TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2019 Bonnie Ferrill Roman: Cellular Solo Exhibition & Artist Talk, St. Mary’s HS Gallery, Curated By Andrew Beckham, Littleton, CO
2018 We Make Our Own Wings 3-Artist Invitational, Curated by Laura Krudener, ATC | DEN, Denver, CO
2014 Texture, Form & Function 4-Artist Invitational, Gallery at the DPAC, Denver, CO
2011 Conversations with the Other Side, Heritage Series Show, O’Sullivan Gallery, Regis University, Denver, CO
C | O | N | T | I | N | U | U | M: Interrupted Conversations Oak Room Gallery, University of Northern CO
2008 Under The Skin Solo Exhibition, CORE New Art Space, Denver, CO
October – November Featured Artist at Three Sisters Gallery in Boulder, CO
2007 Congruencies Solo Exhibition including collaborative work, CORE New Art Space, Denver, CO
Seed Solo Retrospective Exhibition including collaborative work, Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, CO
Fuse Featured Artist (with Kimberly MacArthur Graham) Stoneheart Gallery, Evergreen, CO
2006 Ephemeral Solo Exhibition with Guest Artists, CORE New Art Space, Denver, CO
2005 Cross-Pollination Collaborative Exhibition with Kimberly M. Graham, CORE New Art Space, Denver, CO
2002 S Y N A P S E : Remix Installation, Treasure Chest at Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis, Denver, CO
2001 S Y N A P S E Solo Exhibition, Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis, Denver, CO
Mortal Coils Solo Exhibition, Curated by Dan Jacobs, Kaladi Brothers, Denver, CO
2000 Luminous Solo Exhibition, Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis, Denver, CO
1999 The Source of Longing Solo Exhibition, Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis, Denver, CO
Skin : Bone : : Breath : Soul Solo Exhibition, 8 oz. fred, Denver, CO
1996 Talking To Myself Performance, Art Space, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
1993 Found Vision BFA Exhibition, School of the Arts Gallery, University of Colorado at Denver, CO
Common Denominator Two-Person Invitational, Studio/Workshop, Denver, CO
Revival Two-person Show, Tabor Center, Denver, CO
Alive and Kicking Two-Artist Invitational, Studio/Workshop, Denver, CO
1990 Decadence Solo Exhibition, Muddy's Java Cafe, Denver, CO
SELECTED GROUP & JURIED EXHIBITIONS
2021 CATALYST Immersive Collaborative Exhibition (5 artists) curated by Jennifer Ghormley, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
2020 Pink Progression Collaborations Invitational Group Exhibition of collaborative artwork, Arvada Center for the Arts, CO
2018 Pink Progression Invitational Group Exhibition at Boulder & Denver Libraries & Metro Center for Visual Art, CO
Narrative Threads Traveling Group Exhibition, Curated by Alicia Bailey, Regis Library, Art Gym, Denver, CO
2017 Paper.Works Curated by Collin Parson, Main Gallery, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, CO
2016 Contemporary Fiber 2016 Juried by Carol Ann Waugh, Niza Knoll Gallery, Denver, CO
2015 Cluster Invitational Group Exhibition Ice Cube Gallery, Denver, CO
2014 Home To Roost Curated Fiber Sculpture Exhibit, Home Show, Natl. Western Complex, Denver CO
Contemporary Fiber Colorado 2014 Curated by Carol Ann Waugh, Helikon Gallery, Denver, CO
Color Outside the Lines Curated by Andra Archer, Brookfield Arts at Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
2012 Ice Breaker 3 Juried by DAM curator Gwen Chanzit, Ice Cube Callery, Denver, CO
2011 Collective Nouns MSCD Faculty Biennial, Metro Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO
Confluence, Returning to the Source… Invitational, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver CO
2010 North American Sculpture 2010 National Juried Exhibition, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
Ladder (s)how Group Invitational, McFadden/Wright Studio Gallery, Denver, CO
2009 Metropolitan State College of Denver Faculty Biennial 2009 Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, CO
Collective Nouns MSCD Faculty Biennial, Metro Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO
2008 Metro Faculty Biennial, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, CO
Juried Student/Alumni Exhibition, Victoria H. Myhren Gallery, University of Denver, Denver, CO
Paper or Plastic Group Invitational, 910 Arts, Denver, CO
Everything But Paint Group Invitational, Front Range Community College, Broomfield, CO
The Boat Show Group Invitational, McFadden/Wright Gallery, Denver, CO
2007 Wonders/Maravillas Group invitational, Downtown Aurora Visual Arts, Aurora, CO
Accretionary Assemblage: Art From Parts Juried Exhibition, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
Untitled Juried Exhibition, Space Gallery, Denver CO
Collective Nouns MSCD Faculty Biennial, Metro Center for Visual Art, Denver, CO
MTV’s The Real World Season 18 intl. TV exposure: 7 large lit artworks featured prominently on the set
2006 High Heels in Wet Pavement: 2nd Gen. Feminists… Eleanor Bliss Center for Art, Steamboat Springs, CO
23rd Annual All Colorado Juried Exhibition Curtis Arts & Humanities Center, Greenwood Village, CO
Stretched Tight National Juried Exhibition, Target Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Winter Fruits National Juried Exhibition, Mildred M. Cox Gallery at William Woods University, Fulton, MO
Design After Dark Benefit for the DAM’s Dept. of Architecture, Design, and Graphics, Denver, CO
2005 Mixing It Up Invitational Group Exhibition, Oval Gallery, Little Rock, AR
Women’s Caucus for Art: Works on Paper Invitational & Juried Exhibition, Open Press, Denver, CO
Delicate Balance: Contemporary Decorative Functional Art Juried Show, Lakewood Cultural Center, CO
The Drawing Show Juried Exhibition, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO
2004 22nd Annual North American Sculpture Exhibition National Juried Show, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO
Femme Group Invitational, 12th Street Art, Golden, CO
The Veil: What Remains Hidden Group Invitational, Curfman Gallery, CSU, Fort Collins, CO
2003 1st Annual Colorado Art Expo Art Expo Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Ladyfest 2003 Group Invitational, Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
2002 Organic Forms Four-Artist Invitational, Improv Gallery, Fort Collins, CO
Corporate Collections 2002 Invitational Exhibition, Republic Plaza, Denver, CO
Unnoticed Fragments Four-person Invitational, Fresh Art Gallery, Denver, CO
All Lights Invitational Group Exhibition, Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
Celebrate Colorado Artists Festival Juried Art Festival, Denver, CO
The White Show Invitational Group Exhibition, Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
2001 e-mer-ging con-tem-po-ra-ry ar-tists Invitational Exhibition, Caitlyn Gallery, St. Louis, MO
Grand Opening Group Show Inaugural Invitational, Andenken Gallery, Denver, CO
Pulp Invitational, Fresh Art Gallery, Denver, CO
Somnambulant Three-person Invitational, Andenken Gallery at Pulcinella, Fort Collins, CO
Encaustic Evolution Invitational, Fresh Art Gallery, Denver, CO
Whisper & Shout Invitational, Fresh Art Gallery, Denver, CO
2000 Contemporary Colorado: Transformations of Tradition Invitational, The Art Center, Grand Jct., CO
1999 21st Annual Jurored Art Exhibition Regional Juried (bodies of work), Salina Art Center, Salina, KS
Insight – Contemporary Self Portraits National Juried, Galeria Mesa, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
1998 In Partnership Inaugural Exhibition, Courtyard by Marriott Gallery, Denver, CO
Blurring the Lines Collaborative Invitational, Studio 5, Denver, CO
1997 A Season of Woven Dreams and Deep Knowing MFA Thesis, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, MPLS, MN
1996 Exceptional Value All-Purpose Show Group Invitational, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, MPLS, MN
1995 University of Minnesota 3D Group Invitational, Humanities Fine Arts Center Gallery, Morris, MN
View from the Other Side Group Invitational, Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI
1994 Entry Group Invitational, Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
1993 The Print Exchange 1993 Invitational, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1993.
1992 Lost and Foundry Bronze Sculpture Exhibition, YWCA Art Gallery, Denver, CO
EXHIBIT CURATING & JURYING
2016 Organized and promoted group photograph of 287 of Colorado's women artists, DAM Plaza, Denver, CO
2014 Guest Juror “New Life” open entry show, Next Gallery, Denver, CO
2008 Juror: Englewood Arts Association National Juried Exhibition, Englewood, CO
Co-curator of “Launch” exhibit for Metro Foundations students at Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
2006 Curator, “Book + Art = ?” National Juried Exhibition, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO
2005 Judge: Jefferson County High Schools, Mixed Media & Books, Annual Jeffco Student Art Show, Arvada, CO
1998 Curator: In Partnership Inaugural Exhibition, Courtyard by Marriott Gallery, Denver, CO
1996 Curator: The Gift Circle Group Invitational, Mezzanine Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
1993 Curator: Artdaze/Festival of Cultural Arts, Tivoli, Denver, CO
TEACHING & ARTIST LECTURES
3D Art Teacher: St. Mary’s Academy High School, Cherry Hills Village, Englewood, CO, August 2022 - Present
Visiting Instructor: DU Enrichment Program, Denver University, Denver, Colorado, Fall 2023
Art Teacher: Florida Pitt Waller K-8, Green Valley Ranch, Denver, CO August 2020 - May 2022
Studio Artist In Residence, Denver Art Museum‘s 3D Studio, Week of January 24-31, 2018; Demos Fri., Sat., & Sun.
Affiliate Faculty: Beginning & Advanced Sculpture and Art in Culture: Regis University, Fall 2015 - Spring 2020
Adjunct Faculty: Co-Teach Fiber Art Survey, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Summer 2015, 2016
Visiting Artist: AP Art at Dakota Ridge HS: 2-day visit with lecture, papermaking workshop, Lakewood, CO Apr 2015
Visiting Artist: Senior Art Thesis at Regis University: PP Slide lecture, Work Samples, Q&A, Denver, CO, 2014 & 2018
Visiting Artist: Heart of the Rockies Fiber Arts Guild: PP Slide lecture, Work Samples, Q&A, Buena Vista, CO, Jan 2014
Visiting Artist: University of Northern Colorado: Workshop, Lecture, Solo Exhibition, Fall 2011
Affiliate Faculty: 2D Design (2 sections) Metro State College of Denver, 2011-2012
Affiliate Faculty: 3D Design (2 sections), 2D Design (4 sections) Metro State College of Denver, 2010-2011
Affiliate Faculty: 3D Design (4 sections), 2D Design (3 sections) Metro State College of Denver, 2009-2010
Papermaking Workshops at Natural Sculpture Studio, summers, 2009, 2010, 2011
Full-time Visiting Asst. Professor: Sculpture I (2 sections), 3D Design (10 sections), Hand Papermaking for Artists (1; proposed, created and taught), Metro State College of Denver, 2007-08, 2008-09
Full-time Lecturer: 2D Design (2), 3D Design (7), Metro State College of Denver, CO, 2006-07
Adjunct Faculty: Intro to Sculpture (1), Advanced Sculpture (1), Regis University, Denver, CO, 2006
Instructor: 6-week sculptural papermaking class for adults, Washington Heights Art Center, Lakewood, CO, 2006
Adjunct Faculty: Design Processes & Concepts I (1) & II (4), Metropolitan State College of Denver, CO, 2005-06
Summer Art Instructor: 7 workshops + 3-day class for kids ages 5-15, Foothills Art Center, Golden, CO, 2004, 2005
Honorarium Instructor: Sculpture I (3), 3-D Design (2), & Intro. to Art Online (4); CU-Denver, CO 1997-2000, 2002
Graduate Instructor: Direct Metals (1); Art Department, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1996
Teaching Assistant: Direct Metals (2), Artist's Books (1), Intro to Studio Arts (3), Molding and Casting (2), and Performance Art (1); University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, 1995-97
Teaching Assistant: Basic Sculpture (1); CU-Denver, CO, 1993
SELECTED COLLECTIONS & COMMISSIONS
Regis University School of Pharmacology: commissioned work - Denver, CO
JohnstonWells PR Corporate Collection: Denver,CO
Launchpad Interactive: Boulder, CO
Reed W. Ferrill & Associates, Inc: Golden, CO
Deidre & Joe Adams: Highlands Ranch, CO
Steve & Sue Parks: Breckenridge, CO
Jeffrey Moe: Fort Collins, CO
Chris & Torie Thomas: Los Angeles, CA
Rob & Heather Reavey: Denver, CO
Debra Levy: Denver, CO
Dan & Stephanie Welch: commissioned work - Denver, CO
Tammy McFadden: commissioned work - Denver, CO
Cindy Uhl: Denver, CO
Lorraine Spargo: Denver, CO
Karen Rogers Young: Denver, CO