Interviewed by SAI in 2001 by The University of the Arts team of Molly McIntyre (interviewer), Nick Arnold (videographer), and Trish Siembora (advisor).
Artist's Statement:
Merle Spandorfer’s new work consists of mixed media monotypes combining her handmade paper pieces with painting, drawing, collage and laser printing. The essence of her new work is an expression of the passage of time. She quotes P.B. Shelley, ”Time is our consciousness of the succession of ideas in our mind.” She believes that the secret of life is to appreciate and enjoy the passage of time. The flower, a metaphor for her concept, is shown as buds, in full bloom and even withered and dried. This transition, to the artist, has beauty as energy in time and space.
Selected Collections:
- Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
- Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
- The Israel Museum
- The Baltimore Museum, Baltimore, MD
Selected Exhibitions:
She has exhibited in 30 solo shows and more than 200 group exhibitions in museums, universities, and galleries in Europe, Asia, and major U.S. cities
Teaching Experience:
- Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
- Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (Philadelphia University), Philadelphia, PA
- Pratt Institute, New York, NY
- Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA
- The Tokyo National University of Fine Art, Tokyo, Japan
- Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in China
Selected Awards:
- Pennsylvania Education Association Outstanding Art Award
Contact Information:
8012 Ellen Lane
Cheltenham, PA 19012
215-379-2813
merlespandorfer@comcast.net
website: merlespandorfer.com
