Works by Margaret Neill
Margaret Neill is an American abstract artist from Ohio, using a variety of mediums to create lyrical, gestural imagery informed by curves and non-representational shapes and forms. She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
Education
Neill earned her Bachelor of Arts from Hiram College in Hiram, OH, in 1978. She went on to earn her Masters in Fine Art in Painting from Brooklyn College in New York in 1984.
Technique
Neill creates works on canvas, linen and paper using a variety of mediums, including graphite, colored pencil, charcoal and paint. Her process involves an intuitive marking of the surface resulting in continuous, interwound lines and squiggled geometric formations.
The work references many of the qualities of Lyrical Abstraction. Her process is instinctive and non-representational. The work transcends objective interpretation, instead inviting the viewer to participate through the work in an exploration of the artist's relationship with time and space. As gestural interactions with moments in a particular location, Neill's works serve almost as surrogate memories, visceral relics of a moment in space and time.
Inspiration
Neill is inspired by the fluid geometric qualities of curve and line, in particular how the natural qualities of the earth and sky intermingle with urban elements of object and architecture. Partially informed by observable patterns found in both human and natural phenomena such as buildings, maps and weather patterns, the work emerges from an ephemeral, intuitional state, resulting in objects and images that convey a sense of complexity, serenity and flux.
Artist Statement
"In my work I circle through a space that is intellectuctual and physical and relates to both the urban and natural world. In periods of rapid transformation such as how we live today, these works seek a way of being that is quiet, continuous and alive.
My paintings emerge from an engagement with my materials and are concerned neither with narrative or image but rather strive to describe a state of being. Color and form are the subjects of my recent work and they interchange in the discourse and physicality of the painting process. I like to play with ideas of speed, movement, and scale. I seek to explore the transformational properties of merging the physical and metaphysical worlds of time and space.
I have been fascinated with the rapidly rushing landscape we move through while traveling in a car, bus, or train. And the way various modes of transportation let us feel like we are weightless for a time, moving effortlessly through space. Not unlike the way a cormorant or heron can easily move through both air and water. Painting allows me to conjure up an experience that plays with these ideas.|"
Collections
Neill's work is featured in various museums as well as various international and corporate collections, including The Museum of Modern Art Library, Martin Brest, LA and the U.S. State Department.
Exhibitions
Neill has exhibited her paintings and drawings widely in a number of solo and group exhibitions at museums and galleries nationally.
Neill's work has been widely published, and she has been featured on blogs, TV shows, radio programs and extensively written about in the press.
One/Two Person Exhibitions
2017
Transcription, One Person Show, Pacific Design Center, LA thru 3/18
2014
Undulation, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY, Two person.
New Work by Gallery Artists, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY, Four person
Walk the Line, M & E Gallery, NYC, Four person
2013
Aligned, DM Contemporary, NYC , Four person
Drawn to Beauty, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY, Four person
2009
Renewable Flow, Charcoal Drawings, Pelavin Projects, NY. One person
2008
Gelbke Fine Arts Center, Hiram College, OH, One person
Simon Gallery, Morristown, NJ, One person
2007
Circuit, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art, New York, NY, One person
2005
Metaphor Contemporary Art, Brooklyn, NY, One person
2003
Metaphor Contemporary Art, Brooklyn, NY, One person
2001
Taking Notes, Installation, drawing, video, and talk, Brooklyn Public Library, NY, One person
2000
Works on Paper, Frohring Art Center, Hiram College, OH, One person
1997
Paintings From Brooklyn, 350 Third Ave. NY, One person
1994
Fixed in Time, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY, One person
1992
Kent State University, Trumbull Branch, OH, One person
1984
Frohring Art Center, Hiram College, OH, One person
Group Exhibitions
2018
Women’s History Month Invitational, VanDeb Editions. Curated by Julie Gross
Six person show, NY
2017
The Summer Show, DM Contemporary, NY
2016
Pigment and Paper, Kenise Barnes Fine Art.,NY
Big Small Show, Drawing Rooms, Jersey City, NJ
Art du Jour, 490 Atlantic, NY
2015
Season X, OSilas Gallery, Concordia College
25th Anniversary Show, Kentler International Drawing Space
Kenise Barnes Fine Art, Backroom
2014
New Work by Gallery Artists, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY
American Abstract Artstist, Side Show Gallery, Brooklyn
Painting Center, 21st Anniversary show
2013
Summer Show, DM Contemporary, NYC
San Francisco Fine Art Fair, K. Imperial Fine Art, CA
Lois Dodd: My Students, The Firehouse Center, Damariscotta, ME
Drawing the Mind, Concordia College, Wall Drawing, NY
Icing on the Cake, Kenise Barnes Fine Art, NY
2011
Wall Drawing, “A Field Guide to Getting Lost” Masters & Pelavin, NY
Black & White: Extreme Value, NYIT Gallery 61, NY
Drawing and Cognition, Wall Drawing: DRIVER Columbia University, Macy Gallery
2010
United States Arts in Embassies Program, Republic of Panama, US Dept. of State.
Small Works Invitational, The Painting Center, NY
Twelve Rooms with a view, Nu Hotel, Pelavin Fine Art, NY
Black and White, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
Prints and Drawings , Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art, NY
2009
Partners in Life and Art, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Staying Alive , Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
Sharazade, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
2008
No Chromophobia, OK Harris, NY Friends, Invitational, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art, NY
Color Key, Painting Center, Patrick Webb, curator, NY
Eye for the Here and Now, Colby College Museum of Art, ME
Peace, Sideshow Gallery, NY
Spectrum, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY, panelist
2007
Punch Bowl, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
Pelavin Editions, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art, NY
25th Anniversary Show, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art, NY
Pink, Soho Myriad, Atlanta, GA
2006
Mischief, Metaphor Contemporary Art, Brooklyn, NY
Library Show; Travel Show Proteus Gowanus, Brooklyn, NY
War Is Over, Side Show Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Anniversary Show, Invitational, Painting Center, NY
2005
Brooklyn College 75th Anniversary Exhibit, Brooklyn, NY
Scope Hamptons, Metaphor Contemporary Art, East Hampton, NY
Soho Myriad, Three-Person Show, Atlanta, GA
Metaphor Contemporary Art, The Road So Far, Brooklyn, NY
2004
New Prints 2004/Spring, International Print Center NY, Barry Walker, curator
Abstract Identity, Pelham Art Center, NY, panelist
Where the Island Begins, Hofstra Museum, Hofstra University, NY, catalog
The Baltimore Fair of Contemporary Prints, Baltimore Museum of Art, MD
Contemporary Art Fair, Pier 92, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Arts, NY
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Benefit Show, World Financial Center, NY
Print National, Lancaster Museum of Art, PA, Mark Pascal, juror.
Nature Abstracted, Painting Center, NY, Emily Berger, curator, NY
Peace, Sideshow Gallery, NY
2003
Clean Slate, Prater Rouse Gallery, Norfolk, Virginia.
Affordable Art Fair, Pier 92, Cheryl Pelavin Fine Arts, NY
2002
Representing Nature, Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art, IL
Affordable Art Fair, Pier 92, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
Contemporary Works on Paper, Colby College Museum of Art, ME, catalog
Touch, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
Paper, Metaphor Contemporary Art, NY
4Sight, From Realism to Abstraction, Kentler International Drawing Space, NY
Collage, Frothing Art Center, Hiram College, OH Red Hook, 450 Broadway, NY
2001
Daily Drawings, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY
The Codes and the Signs, Monastery Plazy, Czech Republic
2000
Brooklyn on the Block, Curated by David Konigsberg, RI
Red Hook 8, Curated by Florence Neal and Sonny Balzano, Kentler Gallery, NY
1999
Leroy Neiman Center for Print Studies, Columbia University, NY
Brooklyn Impressions, Small Press Print Studios, Brooklyn, NY
1998
Works on Paper, John Ittmann, juror, Perkins Center for the Arts, NJ
1996
3 Artists From Brooklyn, Studio 600-Hermit, Praha, Czech Republic
Small Works Exhibition, Alan Hacklin, juror, Schoharie County Arts Council, NY
About Time, Works on Paper, Kent State University, OH
Connections, Exhibition of Prints, Kendal at Oberlin Gallery, OH
1995
Cleveland Center for Contemporary Art, works on consignment, OH
Page-22, Artists Books, 540 Broadway Gallery, NY
1993
To Be, Kentler International Drawing Space, Brooklyn, NY
1986
Hiram College Alumni Invitational, catalog, OH
1985
Invitational, Hunterdon Art Center, Sinikka Lane, curator, NJ Small Works, Washington Sq. East Galleries, Allen Stone, juror, NY
1984
4th Annual Miniature Competition, Dore Ashton, juror, BACA, NY
1984
Paintings and Pastels, Thirty-First Annual Juried Exhibition, Hunterdon Art Center, NJ 3
2014
BRIC, Arts Media, Brooklyn Featured Artist on BRIC Blog.
Wall St. International Magazine, Review: Undulate, Kenise Barnes Fine Art
2013
DOMINO “ Small Spaces” page 33 “Nesting” page 52, Holiday Issue
Painting installation. 2012 Better Homes and Gardens, page 74, Sept.
2012
Painting installation
2010
InStyle magazine, “ Community Property” page 419, Dec. 2010, Drawing installation
2009
Steven Alexander Journal “Margaret Neill / Drawings at Pelavin Projects”
2008
The Brooklyn Rail ‘ Weltanschauung and Abstract Painting’ Robert C. Morgan
“Spectrum” Metaphor Contemporary Contemporary Art, NY
Steven Alexander Journal “No Chromophobia at OK Harris” Steven Alexander
Two Coats of Paint “Flying Colors at OK Harris” Sharon Butler
2007
The New York Sun “ Margaret Neill: Circuit at Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art” Maureen Mullarkey
Martini boys.com “Margaret Neill: Circuit: Cheryl Pelavin Fine Art” Critics Pick
Where Magazine “Traveling Hues” Margaret Neill: Circuit at Pelavin Fine Art, critics pick. 4
“The Pleasures of Parallax” Stephen Maine, essay
2005
Artnet.com “Dateline Brooklyn”, Stephen Maine, April
2004
The New York Sun “Gallery Going”, Maureen Mullarkey, Nature Abstracted, The Painting Center.
Abstract Art Online “New York Views”, Nature Abstracted, The Painting Center. Joseph Walentini
The New York Times “Hamptons on the Gowanus” Helen Harrison
“Where The Island Begins”, catalogue, Hofstra Museum, Hofstra University, NY
“New Prints 2004 /Spring ”, International Print Center NY, essay, Barry Walker
2003
Art in America “Margaret Neill at Metaphor Contemporary Art, Stephen Maine
Art News, “Driven to Abstraction”, Amei Wallach
New American Painting, northeast edition, #44, curator, Charlotta Kotick
2002
“Drawn From A Family” “Contemporary Works on Paper” catalogue, group show
Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, ME
Brooklyn Journal “Four Artists Exhibit 4sight” Kentler International Drawing Space, Carl Blumenthal, Feb.
NY 1, TV interview, Paul Messina, “4Sight “ Kentler International Drawing Space, Feb.
Brooklyn Heights Press, “ Work of Gowanus Artists Reflects a Changing Canal” Carl Blumenthal.
1997
New American Paintings #10, New York City Competition, curator, Ivan Karp.
Finalist, MTA Arts For Transit, NYC. 2008, 2011
Fellowship, Ora Lerman Charitable Trust, Artist Residency, 2004
Award for Excellence, Wolf Kahn, Juror, Hunterdon Art Center, NJ, 1985