Galleri Urbane is pleased to announce our first pop up exhibition for 2025, an ongoing initiative to curate exhibitions in a flexible way, introduce new and emerging artists, cull from the gallery archives to highlight work from represented artists – allowing for dynamic curatorial conversations. Dallas Artist Makenzie Heinemann kicks off the year with her first solo show at Galleri Urbane, 'still, slow air'. Heinemann was first introduced to Dallas in our 2024 group show, 'nature is what we see'.
Watch:
Get a closer look at ‘still, slow air’ on video
In 'still, slow air’, Heinemann incorporates fiber paste onto wood panels, wherein thick layers of texture oscillate. These small scale scenes have a sense of relief, investigating a variety of scenes - fantastical, mundane; exploring the curiousness of nature. "The main inspiration for my work is in landscape, responding to the colors, composition, and the uniquely special aspects of the reference images I use," says Heinemann. Following her 2022 MFA show at Florida State University, Heinemann's work was mainly focused on large raw canvas works, where water, acrylic, and ink were incorporated into multiplying layers. "My large, raw canvas paintings have been likened to animal hides for the way the images appear to come from within their surfaces," says Heinemann. "After downsizing to my home studio, I started working on wood panels. The fiber paintings allow me to work on a surface that offers a new challenge."
“ Working in many layers of staining, adding and subtracting, I try to find perfect compositional harmony through color and form. My large, raw canvas paintings have been likened to animal hides for the way the images appear to come from within their surfaces. The smaller works are more sculptural
and textured, but stay true to a focus on compositional balance. My work is often inspired by the natural environment, but hovers above representation”
Exhibition Install Images:
Her subject matter shifts between abstraction and representational scenes of quiet moments found in nature, exploring moments of naturalism and instinctual aestheticism. Although her work often is inspired by art historical reference, it remains not strictly representational, "I'm not thinking about meaning when I create the work; I'm searching for the mysterious magnetism I feel in each scene," says Heinemann.
Makenzie Heinemann is an Arizona-born, Dallas-based visual artist. She completed her MFA in Studio Art at Florida State University and BFA in Painting at Arizona State University. Her work consists of large paintings on raw canvas and smaller works on paper and pulp. Heinemann recently mounted a solo exhibition at Arts Fort Worth. Following her MFA, she participated in the 33oc residency in Toffia, Italy and presented a solo exhibition at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve in Atlanta. In 2017 she was presented with the Eric Fischl Vanguard Award at Phoenix College. Her painting The High Road was selected by guest curator Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Heinemann currently teaches foundational art courses at Dallas College and maintains a studio practice in the Junius Heights Historic District.