Courtney Sennish
I amble through the city of San Francisco in search of illuminations: silent monuments bearing subtleties that transform my being in place. My process is an accumulation of labor, historical research, and intuition resulting in a phenomenological and physical conversion. Contemporary generations have grown accustomed to a lifestyle devoid of wilderness, accepting a contained form of nature. How does living in such a heavily fabricated and dictated environment change our biology? I question how the physical structures guide my everyday practice. My artwork examines the urban landscape through isolating specific moments and features found through my pilgrimage. I grant a spatial story to these accumulations through research into the history of the landscape’s geography as well as intuitive experiential qualities. These works collage the flat and vast worlds that exist simultaneously within and before us. The diverse mediums represent different processes of perceiving, experiencing and relating to the world around us.
Courtney Sennish (b. 1991 in Saginaw, Michigan) lives and works in San Francisco, California. She received her BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and graduated from her MFA at California College of the Arts. In 2015 she received the Headland’s Graduate Fellowship Alternate and was an artist-in-residence at Anderson Ranch for the summer of 2011. Courtney has been showing around the Bay Area, in multiple group shows and in 2016 she had a solo show at Johansson Projects.
Eastbay Express, “First Friday Guide, August Edition: Staff Pick” September 2018 Amyra Soriano
“…How does living in such a heavily fabricated and dictated environment change our biology?” This existential take on art opens doors for a metaphysical experience through tangible things… Link
Glossary Magazine, “Review As Glossary: Courtney Sennish @ Johansson Projects” March 17, 2016
“Johansson Projects has unique architecture, and they have repeatedly used the space in interesting ways…Sennish’s works plays off of the gallery’s architectural mix, as well as complimenting its urban location. Her stark and disjointed objects act as remnants of experiential dissidence…” Link
Curiously Direct, “CCA // 2015 MFA Exhibitions” June 2, 2015 Aaron Harbour
“Highlights were Micah Woods, Courtney Sennish, Emmanuel Sevilla, Monte Masi, & Gillian Bostock (specifically her video works).” Link
San Francisco Chronicle, “Fresh perspectives on display at new gallery for MFA students” February 25, 2015 Sam Whiting Link
Curiously Direct, “CCA // MFA Open Studios” February 24, 2015 Aaron Harbour
“Sennish’s work is getting bigger, dirtier and weirder; these explorations will serve her practice well.” Link
Curiously Direct, “CCA // MFA Open Studios” February 24, 2015 Aaron Harbour
“One highlight that I remember: an excellent painting by Courtney Sennish, warranting further investigation.” Link
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