Shortly after completing her MFA, Campbell began working on a series of text-based drawings for several years, all titled My Potential Future Based on Present Circumstances and catalogued by date. The handwritten flow charts begin with one life event and branch out to subsequent events in exponential fashion, the whole of which is a complicated mix of actual and hypothetical, plausible and implausible life occurrences. This stream of consciousness examines various possible outcomes in her everyday life.

Always a thoughtful and zany exploration of self, Campbell’s work explores one’s ever-changing self-image. Others of Campbell’s works explore the notion of self (particularly herself) through its inextricable links to material objects. In her work at Dieu Donné, Campbell has been collaborating with Studio Director, Megan Moorhouse to create watermarked still-lifes of make-up and other toiletries. The works utilize “puffy” fabric paint watermarks combined with pulp painting, resulting in multi-layered images that belies their technique and are realistic in effect. Her hand-drawn watermarked lines integrate with her freehand pulp painting to create imagery in a manner that is simultaneously fluid and defined. The production lead to a 30×40 inch diptych entitled Dualities 1&2 as well as a series of unique pieces both large and small.

Born (1971) in Illinois, Beth received her BFA from Truman State University and MFA from Ohio University. She has also studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Campbell now lives and works in New York and is represented by Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery.

http://www.bethcampbellstudio.com/

Workspace Program artist-in-residence 2003