Johanna Mueller
Artist Statement
Enhanced by printmaking’s history of narrative, my work explores the shared histories of humans, as told by animals. These compositions are full of animals within animals, a reference to animal cognition and spirits within animal bodies. Personal narrative is woven with symbols, icons and stories which make these pieces both familiar and challenging. Animals have no race, religion, or creed, can be as easily feminine as masculine or somewhere in between. Therefore, they can tell universal stories which weave anthropology, art history, and spirituality - our shared humanness - better than their human counterparts. In our ever changing and sometimes frightful present day, we need to be reminded of the importance of nature, the legacy of story and our similarities as humans.
Artist Bio
Johanna Mueller is a printmaker, artist, and entrepreneur, born and raised in Denver, CO, now residing in Greeley, CO where she co-owns and operates Wonderhand Studios, a communal printmaking studio. She earned a BFA in printmaking from The Metropolitan University of Denver and an MFA in printmaking from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. She has had the opportunity to speak to students about her work, the business of art, as well as demonstrate engraving methods at institutions including: The University of Denver, Vanderbilt University, Bowling Green State University, Bethel College, Texas A&M University of Corpus Christi, and many more. She has been the recipient of the Laila Twigg Smith Artist Residency Program at the Donkey Mill Arts Center, in Kona, HI, the Brush Creek Artist Residency in Saratoga, WY, Jentel Artist Residency in Banner, WY and was an Artist in Residence at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, CO. Please explore more of her work at www.johannamuellerprints.com.
