Bio

Amanda Gentry (b.1973, Long Beach, California) is a sculptor and painter. As a neurodiverse artist, she pares down visual stimuli, intent on revealing only what is essential. Gentry is a DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) grant recipient and has twice been awarded an IACA (Illinois Arts Council Agency) grant. Her work is in private collections worldwide and exhibited in galleries, academic institutions, and museums nationwide.

Statement

We are living in a world characterized by over-stimulation—packed schedules, lumens that continue getting brighter, noise that is seemingly inescapable. The work I create is in direct contrast to that. At both smaller and larger scales my work is quiet. But at a larger scale it inspires the kind of quietude that soothes the individual, inviting the quality of silence that allows the inner voice to be more readily heard. The need for this is greater now more than ever.

Solo* and Shared Exhibitions

2024, Maximizing Minimalism, Governors State University, University Park, Illinois
2023, Raw and Fragile, ALMA, Chicago, Illinois
2020, Murmuration,* Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, California
2018, Earth Bound, Hofheimer Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2017, SERIOUS/play, Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2015, I Am Here,* Lillstreet Annex Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2013, Expanding,* Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
2013, Oreiller,* Manchester University, Manchester, Indiana
2012, Oreiller,* Brainforest Gallery, Chicago, Illinois

Group Exhibitions

2024, Self | Portraits, CSI Project Space, Chicago, Illinois
2024, Bridgeport Art Center Annual Art Competition, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
2024, Down There, Womanmade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2023, 6th Midwest Open, Womanmade Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2022, Chicago Sculpture International Biennial, The Koehnline Museum, Des Plaines, Illinois
2022, Little, But Bold, 3D4D Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2022, We Are Close in Distance, USC, Roski Graduate Gallery, Los Angeles, California
2022, Mindscapes, 3D4D Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2022, In Good Company, Mana Contemporary, Chicago, Illinois
2021, ARTIFACT, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio
2021, Art in the Time of Corona, Dab Art Co., Los Angeles, California
2019, Geometry, Site:Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York
2018, The Goodwin Collection, Illinois State Museum, Lockport, Illinois
2018, 22nd San Angelo National Ceramic Competition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, Texas
2018, The State of Clay, 10th Biennial, Lexington Art and Crafts Society, Lexington, Massachusetts
2018, At the Surface, Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles, Missouri
2017, Taking Shape, Studio Oh!, Chicago, Illinois
2016, Not Just Another Pretty Face, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
2016, Connect, Hyde Park Art Festival, Chicago, Illinois
2016, Peace on Earth, Matthew Rachman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2014, Evanston + Vicinity Biennial, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, Illinois
2014, Art from the Heartland, Indianapolis Art Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
2014, From the Earth, Tubac Center of the Arts, Tubac, Arizona
2014, 27th Annual Women’s Works, Northwest Area Arts Council, Woodstock, Illinois
2014, Bridgeport Art Center Annual Art Competition, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
2013, Not Just Another Pretty Face, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
2012, 42nd Annual East Pilsen Artists’ Open House, Chicago Art Department, Chicago, Illinois

Residencies

2021, Cynthia Morelli Studio Artist-Driven Residency (supported by the Rasmuson Foundation Fellowship Program), Homer, Alaska
2019, STARworks Ceramics, Star, North Carolina
2012, Pyrenean Pottery Workshop, Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, France

Grants

2022, IACA (Illinois Arts Council Agency), Individual Artist Project Support
2020, IACA (Illinois Arts Council Agency), Individual Artist Project Support
2016, DCASE (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) Professional Development Grant

Education

2026, Alfred University, New York College of Ceramics, MFA Candidate. 1995, Boston University, School of Visual Arts, Boston, Massachusetts BFA, Major: Graphic Design. Minor: Sculpture & Art History.

Representation

ALMA

Artist Talks

Bunnell Street Arts Center, Artist Talk, 11.08.22
Cuesta College, Artist Talk, Presentation, Part 1, 03.07.19
Cuesta College, Artist Talk, Presentation, Part 2, 03.07.19
Cuesta College, Artist Talk, Audience Q&A, Part 1, 03.07.19
Cuesta College, Artist Talk, Audience Q&A, Part 2, 03.07.19

News Coverage

KSBY Highlighting Murmuration

Reviews

https://the189.com/sculpture/in-homage-to-form-stoneware-sculpture-by-amanda-gentry/

http://chicagofineart.blogspot.com/2018/08/

http://www.chicagogallerynews.com/news/2016/11/eye-for-collectors-a-new-monthly-series

http://www.louiseandmaurice.com/single-post/2015/11/06/REVIEW-I-am-here-Work-by-Amanda-Gentry