Artist's Statement

For over a year I have been working on a series of images related to the Spiral. These drawings, paintings, found objects and other installation components are being assembled for exhibitions in 2012 entitled Patterns of Nature: The Spiral and Interconnectedness.

Upcoming Exhibitions for Patterns of Nature: The Spiral and Interconnectedness include:

Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL, March 2 – April 26, 2012
Visit the gallery online - Artist’s Talk, March 12, 2012
LA Artcore, Los Angeles, CA, December 2 – 30, 2012
Visit the gallery online - Artist’s Talk, December 2, 2012.

Utilizing practices similar to the Surrealists, the Spiral emerged as the primary focus of my work over three years ago, based on received information from my conscious and subconscious mind. The Spiral now prevails in my iconography. For example, RC Israel, who introduced me to Dennis Hopper, sat for me after I went to Hopper’s memorial; I drew his ear, which is a Spiral form, unwinding that story.

Soon, I began noticing the Spiral in everything, and my process became exclusively about understanding this form and its meaning. My research, and creation of imagery linked with text, has led to scientific discoveries that relate to the Spiral. Further, this form points to the interconnectivity of all of nature.

The Spiral symbolizes, and recalls, the source of all energy. Internalizing and externalizing the Spiral illuminates the spirit within all of us. There is a direct correlation between people, introspection and self-discovery, the creation of energy, action and interaction, which exists in the individual and the universal on a scientific level both physically and ethereally. The spiral unfolds as being one of the most potent forms in nature’s patterns.

My art has long since been concerned with an interdisciplinary approach to art-making. During my studies at UCLA, I began to experiment with performance art. As a dancer, I explored movement by incorporating models, sound, photography, video, spoken word, the written word, and figurative imagery. I continue to make art that considers my humanness. Today, I connect the individual’s journey and the external world together through nature’s symbols.

Born: California, 1963

1987-91 The Bruchion School, as a student under Jan Saether, Los Angeles, CA
1986-87 Post Graduate Diploma of Art, The Byam Shaw School of Art, London, England
1983-85 University of California, Los Angeles, CA. B.A.; Summa Cum Laude
1982-83 Hampshire College, Amherst, MA

2009 3rd Place. “Timeless”, Visual Arts Consulting, Gaithersburg, MD.
2009 Honorable Mention. “California Open Exhibition”, TAG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA.
2008 3rd place. “Ode to Joy”. Washington Gallery of Photography, Bethesda, MD.
2007 Book Winner List "Erotic Signature Art Competition." Miami, FL
2004 Artists Talk On Art Award. The Lab, artist's panel talk and exhibition. NYC.
2002 Audrey Hope Shirk Memorial Award. "113th Annual Exhibition". National Association of Women Artists. NY
2002 Susan Kahn Award. "113th Annual Exhibition". National Association of Women Artists. NY
2002 Outstanding Painting Prize, "CAA National Prize Show", The Cambridge Art Association. Cambridge, MA
2002 Juror's Award, Book Art Press, "New Art International 2002", Juried International Fine Art Publication. Woodstock, NY
1999 Juror's Award, "International Contemporary Painting", Erector Square Gallery, New Haven, CT.
1999 Best of Show, "Silverhawk Fine Arts Internet Exhibition," Taos, NM.
1999 Donor Award, "Northern National Juried Art Competition", Nicolet College Gallery, Rhinelander, WI.
1998 Studio Prize, "Woman: In the Broader Sense", St. Louis Artists' Guild and the Woman's Caucus for Art, St. Louis, MO.
1998 Juror's Award, National Juried Exhibition Celebrating Israel's 50th Anniversary, Jewish Community Center, New Haven. CT.
1998 2nd Place, "Texas National 98", SFA Gallery, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX.
1997 2nd place, "Inland Exhibition XXXIII", San Bernardino County Museum, Redlands, CA.
1997 Juror's Award, "W & J National Painting Show", Washington, PA.
1997 Honorable Mention, "National Juried Art Exhibition", Highland Cultural Center Art Gallery, NY.
1996 2nd Prize, Painting, "Hearts and Other Body Parts", Ashwell Gallery, Beverly, MA.
1994 Best of Show, Painting, "4th Annual Juried Exhibition" Havre De Grace Museum, MD.

2012 "Patterns of Nature: The Spiral and Interconnectedness," Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL & LA Artcore, Los Angeles, CA

2007 “Love. Loss and The Ring of Fire,” Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM. (catalog)
2006 “Love. Loss and The Ring of Fire,” New Art Center, New York, NY. (catalog)
2003 The Historic Taos Inn, Taos, NM.
2001 "The Life of Butterflies", Erie Art Museum, Erie, PA. travelling to Lynne White's-Shriver Gallery, Taos, NM. Gallery Representation. (catalog).
1996 Victoria Maase Stoll Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
1993 "Joining Duality of Male and Female", Paintings, Text, Movement, Video A.C.E. Gallery, Vancouver, Canada.
1992 "External/Internal", Van Go's Ear, Venice, CA.
1991 "Women's Souls", Market Street Gallery, Venice, CA.

2010

“Arts on Fire XIV”, Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA. Juror, Philip E. Linhares, Chief Curator of Art, Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA.
“Rochester Erotic Arts Festival”, Tully, NY. Juror, Bruce Helander, Artist and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Rhode Island School of Design college, Providence, RI.
“Wide Open”, BWAC, Brooklyn, NY. Juror, Ann Strauss, Assoc. Curator, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY.
“24th Annual International Juried Show”, Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit, NJ. Juror, Susan Kismaric, Curator, Department of Photography, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY.

2009
“104 Artists’ Perspectives”, Peterson Cody Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. Book-signing and Exhibition for Art Journey New Mexico
“Timeless”, Visual Arts Consulting, Gaithersburg, MD. Juror, Missy Loewe, Dean, Washington School of Photography and President, Visual Arts Consulting. Award.
“California Open Exhibition”, TAG Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. Juror, Michael Zakian, Director Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. (catalog)
“Little Black Book”, Smithtown Township Arts Council, Mills Pond House Gallery, St. James, NY.
Art Undressed, Miami, FL
“In Your Dreams”, Pen and Brush, Inc., New York, NY. Juror, Edward J. Sullivan, Dean for Humanities, Professor of Fine Arts and Curator at New York University, NY. National Juried Exhibition.

2008
“Small Wonders” - Award - Maryland Federation of Art’s Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD. Juror, Diane DiSalvo, Director and Curator of Cultural Programs, Villa Julie College, Stevenson, MD.
“Naked,” Sixth Street Gallery, Vancouver, WA. National Juried Exhibition.
“Ode to Joy,” Washington Gallery of Photography, Bethesda, MD. Juror, Missy Loewe, Dean, Washington School of Photography and President, Capital Arts Network.
“A Russian Night In Taos,” Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM. Invitational Juried Exhibition and Auction.
“2D 144 SU National Invitational Exhibition”, Kauffman Gallery, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA. National Juried Exhibition.
“51st Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art”, Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY. Juror, Rachel D. Vancelette, Director, Barbara Gladstone Gallery, New York, NY.
“29th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition”, Smithtown Township Arts Council, St. James, NY. Juror, Christopher
James, Chair photography program, The Art Institute of Boston, Lesley University, Boston, MA.
“The Art Exhibition Tour”, Erotic Signature, Miami, FL. Invitational International Exhibition Tour.
“Toledo Friends of Photography”, Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH. Juror, Todd Hido, Artist.

2007
Austin Galleries, Austin, TX.
“Passions,” The Washington School of Photography, Bethesda, MD. Juror, Missy Loewe, Dean, Washington
School of Photograpy and President, Capital Arts Network.
“Central Coast National Fine Art Competition,” Morro Bay Art Association, Morro Bay, CA. Juror, Susan Hillhouse,
Curator Exhibitions and Collections, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and Art History. (catalog)
“SCAN,” Contemporary Art Network, New Art Center, New York, NY.
“A Russian Night In Taos,” Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM. Invitational Juried Exhibition and Auction.

2006
Midtown West Art Associates, New Art Center, New York, NY. Group Exhibition.
“A Russian Night In Taos,” Taos Art Museum, Taos, NM. Invitational Juried Exhibition and Auction.

2005
Midtown West Art Associates, New Art Center, New York, NY. Group Exhibition.
“Nude International 2005,” Lexington Art League, Lexington, KY. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Steven Assael, The School of Visual Arts, New York, NY.

2004

"Annual Miniatures Show and Sale". The Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
"Artists Talk On Art". SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery, artist's panel talk and The Lab exhibition, NYC. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Molly Barnes, Curator of the Molly Barnes Gallery, NYC. Award.
"Great Plains National, Tenth Annual". Fort Hayes State University, Hays, Kansas. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Susan Hapgood, Director of Exhibitions, Independent Curators International, NYC.
"47th Annual International Exhibition". The San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Peter Gordon, Manager: Cultural Arts Office/City of Carlsbad, CA.

2003

"Annual Miniatures Show and Sale". The Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
"46th Annual International Exhibition" - The San Diego Art Institute, San Diego, CA. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Hugh M. Davis. Director, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, CA.
"Small Treasures" The Stables Gallery, Taos, NM. Auction to benefit the Taos Children's Museum.

2002

"Showcase 2002: Recent Work" - The Limner Gallery, Manhattan, NY. National Juried Exhibition.
The Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Gerald Peters, Gallery owner.
"113th Annual Exhibition" - National Association of Women Artists. Awards Judge, Ricardo Viera, Director & Curator, Lehigh University Galleries, PA, Martha Posner, fellowship honoree, The Virginia Center for Creative Arts and Ragdale Foundation, and Howardena Pindell, Artist and Author, The Woman's Caucus for the Arts, New York State University at Stonybrook. Award. (catalog).
Art Assoc. of Harrisburg, PA - "74th Annual Juried Exhibition 2002" Juror, Tracey Bashkoff, Assistant Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NY
Cambridge Art Assoc. Cambridge, MA. "National Juried Exhibition" Juror, Lisa Dennison, Deputy Dir. and Chief Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museums. Award. (catalog).
Gallery 500, Elkins Park, PA, Gallery Representation
Los Angeles Co. Museum of Art, Rental & Sales Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, Gallery Representation

2001
The Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Peter Schjedahl, Educator/Author/Columnist (catalog).
"small things considered" The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts.
Juried Exhibition sponsored by the National Association of Women Artists
"Predjudice" Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL.
National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Ursula Kammer-Fox, Artist/Curator.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Rental and Sales Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Gallery Representation
Lynne White's-Shriver Gallery, Taos, NM. Gallery Representation.
Gallery 500, Elkins Park, PA. Gallery Representation.

2000
The Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. National Juried Exhibition. Juror, Lucy Lippard, Author/Columnist. (catalog)
The Kayne-Eras Center / Carl Reiner Invitational Show / Auction to Benefit Children At-Risk
Peterson Hall Gallery, Phoenix, AZ. Invitational Show
"Revealing The Nude: A Timeless Passion", Chase Gallery, Boston, MA. Invitational Show.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Rental and Sales Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Gallery Representation.

The World’s Greatest Erotic Art of Today, Volume II. Erotic Signature Publishing. May 2008.

Phoenix, Casa Editrice Palomar, Italy. Book cover image. 2007.

The High Road to Taos – Michael Hearne, Compact Disc, michaelhearne.com. Cover and full image inside booklet. 2007.

THE Magazine, “Claudia Kleefeld: Love. Loss and The Ring of Fire.” April 2007, p. 50.

The Santa Fe New Mexican, Pasatiempo “Tentative pleasure.” February 23-March 1, 2007, p. 14, 15.

K-TAOS, 101.9 FM, “Brad’s PM” radio interview. February 1, 2007.

KVOT, Air America, 1340 AM, “Cultural Energy” radio interview with Maye Torres. January 28, 2007.

KRZA, 88.7 FM, “Untitled” radio interview with Maye Torres. January 28, 2007.

The Taos News, Tempo Magazine, “Transformation.” January 25-31, 2007. Cover story Tempo Magazine, p. 28, 29, 30 and cover of The Taos News.

Albuquerque Journal, “ROOTED IN PAIN, Exhibit revolves around death of artist’s husband” January 19, 2007. Cover story Venue, p. S2, S3.

KRZA, 88.7 FM, radio interview “Claudia Kleefeld.” January 11, 2007.

The Taos News, Tempo Magazine, "Kleefeld's Crucible". November 30 - December 6, 2006, p.22, 24.

The Taos News, Tempo Magazine, "Love and loss". November 2-8, 2006, p.18

The Taos News, Tempo Magazine, "Kleefeld's Cut of the Cards". March 13 -19, 2003, p.4

The Taos News, "Claudia Kleefeld plans Taos Inn show". Feb 27, 2003, p.9

The Boston Globe, Weekend Arts & Performance, Focus on the figurative in CAA prize exhibit. May 31, 2002. p. E17, E20

Her Mark 2002 Calendar, Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL. National Juried Competition

Book Art Press, New Art International 2002, Juried International Fine Art Publication, Woodstock NY, p. 12, 13, 14, 15

Michael Hearne, Sight & Sound, Songs Inspired by the Fine Art of Northern New Mexico. Valley Entertainment, Compact disc sleeve & song written to artwork. Sept. 2001, p. 9, 10

Valley Entertainment, Michael Hearne, Sight & Sound, Songs Inspired by the Fine Art of Northern New Mexico. Compact disc sleeve & song written to artwork. Sept. 2001, p. 9, 10

THE Magazine Claudia Eve Kleefeld: The Life of Butterflies. May 2001, p.49

Horse Fly An Exaltation of Butterflies. April 15, 2001. p. 18

Pasatiempo Hints of mystery, Kleefeld's oils in Taos. March 30-April 5, 2001
Inside cover, p. 17

The Taos News The Life of Butterflies, Claudia Kleefeld redefines magical realism
March 29, 2001. Cover, p. 16, 17, 18, 19

TAOS Magazine Altered Perception, Claudia Kleefeld's provocative paintings embrace subjective reality. March/April 2001. p.12, 13, 14

Erie Times-News SHOWCASE Enter Claudia's World: The Life of Butterflies.
February 22, 2001. Cover, p.17-S, 32-S

THE Magazine Universe of Artist Claudia Kleefeld. December 2000-January 2001, p.14, 15

The Harwood Museum of Art, Taos, NM. Permanent collection.
Nicole and Brian Cox, London, England.
Victoria and Dennis Hopper, Venice, CA.
Norman Brokaw, Beverly Hills, CA.
Mike and Laura Kaplan, Aspen, CO.
Amon Carter, Fort Worth, TX

National Association of Women in the Arts
Woman Made Gallery in Chicago
National Museum for Women in the Arts
Arizona Commission on the Arts
Santa Monica Library
Wisconsin Women in the Arts

Claudia Kleefeld Showroom, Ranchos de Taos, NM - Artist's Showroom By Appointment 575-751-4608

Please visit the following web sites for more information about Claudia Kleefeld

Claudia Kleefeld Figurative Oil Paintings

The World's Women On-line!