I make work that falls somewhere between painting, photography, and alchemical tests. Through controlled accidents, I create visceral surfaces that speak to the gut and the emotions as much as the intellect. Using unpredictable materials and processes that are about destroying as much as making, like dipping and soaking, I set the stage for interaction and push materials to their limits. The resulting works are both surface and image, referencing atmosphere, skin, and terrain. As chance determines the configuration and detail, the work increasingly “makes itself” and brings about surprising results that vary each time the procedure is repeated. Navigating that gray area between action and restraint, I attempt to transform simple materials into something strange and extraordinary.
Selected Exhibitions & Projects
2017
Priority Mail: Summer Biennial, Ground Floor Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
The Affordable Art Fair, Ground Floor Gallery booth, New York, NY2016
#newcollectorbk: The Print Edition, Ground Floor Gallery, Brooklyn, NY2014
Fresh Prints! Collaboration with Kayrock Screenprinting, Brooklyn, NY - curated by Brooke Tomiello
Double Take, Youme Haus, Brooklyn, NY
Through and Through, Ground Floor Gallery, Brooklyn, NY2013
Gesturing into Consciousness, Zoller Gallery, University Park, PA2012
Ladies and Gentlemen, 80 Varick Street, New York, NY
Wet Paint, curated by Sergio Gomez, Zhou B. Art Center, Chicago, IL - catalogue2011
Bridges, Trees, Skulls, Pies, and Other Treasure Trails, NARS
Foundation, Brooklyn, NY
Fragmentation, curated by Dan Cameron, Krause Gallery, New York, NY
Lucid Dreaming, Tompkins Square Library Gallery, New York, NY
Implied Virtue, curated by Alex Gartenfeld, SVA Visual Arts Gallery, New York, NY - catalogue
The Affordable Art Fair, New York, NY2010
Wish You Were Here, A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
First Street Green Culture Park Benefit Art Show, New York, NY
JKC Scholar Showcase, 25CPW Gallery, New York, NY2009
Untitled, Think Gallery, 248 Mercer Street, New York, NY
Un-wasting Space, 99 East 4th Street, New York, NY2008
*Betty Hart: Paintings, Happy Valley Optical, State College, PA
*Matters of Space, Eisenhower Chapel, University Park, PA2007
*Recent Paintings, Ritenour Health Clinic, University Park, PA
*Inside Echoes Out, Patterson Gallery, University Park, PA
*Becoming, Gallery 417, Old Main, University Park, PA
Juried Art Exhibition, curated by Valerie Smith, Zoller Gallery, University Park, PA2006
*Betty Hart: Recent Paintings, Patterson Gallery, University Park, PA2005
Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition, Zoller Gallery, University Park, PA2004
The New School Summer Intensive Group Exhibition, The New School, New York, NY*denotes a solo exhibition
Honors & Awards2013 - Grant Nominee: Rema Hort Mann Foundation
2008-11 - Graduate Scholar: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
2007 - Brian Betzler Memorial Visual Arts Award
2007 - Society of Distinguished Alumni Scholarship
2007 - Schreyer Honors College Summer Research Grant Award
2003-07 - The Renaissance Scholarship Award
EducationMaster of Fine Arts: 2011 - Fine Arts, The School of Visual Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts: 2008 - Drawing & Painting, The Pennsylvania State University
With Honors and Highest Distinction, Minors: Art History & PoetryContinuing Education: 2004 - Fine Arts, The New School
Associate Degree: 1999 - Graphic Design, The Art Institute of York PA
Bibliography2012
Meier, Allison. “Go Sunset Park: An Emerging Art Community.” Hyperallergic.com. http://hyperallergic.com/56572/go-sunset-park- an-emerging-art-community/2011
“SVA at the 2011 Affordable Art Fair.” Visual Arts Briefs. The School of Visual Arts.2008
Goga, Stephanie. "Medical Photos Inspire Artist." The Daily Collegian.2007
Kalliope, literary journal of The Pennsylvania State University: painting printed as cover art, and also featured inside.
"Best Bets." The Centre Daily Times Weekender.
Betty Hart was born in McAlisterville, PA. She lives and works in NYC.