Lauren Schiller , M.F.A.
Professor of Fine Arts
Department of Communication Media and the Arts
(973) 761-9776
Email
Fahy Hall
Room B19
Lauren Schiller, M.F.A.
Professor of Fine Arts
Department of Communication Media and the Arts
My recent paintings have focused on rituals of contemplative significance. I’m interested in how people express their spiritual needs materially through the use of personal and ceremonial objects in shrines, altars and other sacred spaces. I paint from displays of sculptures, photographs, candles, foods, offering bowls and other objects chosen for their symbolic meaning, especially focusing on their groupings in the constructed environment of personal altars. Contemplative practices are intended to remind us to pause, to reflect, and to take time to connect with our inner world and a deeper dimension of life.
The classes that I teach consist of required courses for art and design majors that also include students from other disciplines who are taking painting or drawing for elective credit. Over the years, this has caused me to reflect on the importance of the arts as a component of a liberal arts education. While emphasizing basic skills, I also work to introduce the process of taking a creative approach to applying these skills. It is my hope that all students leave my classes with a deeper understanding of art making and the role of creativity in their lives.
Education
- M.F.A. University of Wisconsin - Madison
- B.F.A. East Carolina University
Accomplishments
Recent Exhibitions
- 2024 - Liminal Spaces, Atlantic Highlands Arts Council, NJ
- 2024 - A Show of Heads, Limner Gallery, Hudson, NY
- 2024 - Altarpieces, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
- 2021 - Narrative Still Life 2021, Catholic Art Institute
- 2021 - 2nd Annual Painting Exhibition, The In Art Gallery
- 2024-20 - Matter and Spirit: A Chinese/American Art Exhibition (travelling exhibition) Duke University Chapel, Seton Hall University, Ouachita University, University of Dayton, Tabor College, Taylor University, Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, Bethel University, Samford University, Messiah University, Belmont University, Calvin University, Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art, Santa Barbara, CA
- 2020 - In My Head, In My Body, Target Galley, Torpedo Factory Art Center, Arlington, VA
- 2020 - 2020 Summer Juried Exhibition, Blue Mountain Gallery, NY, NY
- 2020 - Lent Project 2020, Biola University, La Mirada, CA
- 2018 - Matter & Spirit Seminar in China, Shanghai, Beijing and Nanjing
Lauren Schiller’s paintings have also been exhibited in the following selected venues:
The Painting Center, NYC; Prince Street Gallery, NYC; Aljira Center for Contemporary
Art, Newark, NJ; Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua, NY; Bowery Gallery, NYC; Garrison
Art Center, NY; Artspace, Raleigh, NC; Holy Family University; Adam Baumgold Gallery,
NYC; Allen Stone Gallery; NYC; Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies, NY; Catskill
Gallery, NY; Alden Library, Ohio University; 808 Gallery, Boston University; Lahti
Art Museum, Finland
Link to her personal web page: www.laurenschiller.com