Mary Josephson
Portland artist Mary Josephson is known for her vibrant paintings of people and place. For this exhibition, Full Length Feature, Josephson expresses her interest in unique narratives and storytelling with a range of materials. She finds that broadening her media expands her choices, “each medium allows a new freedom of expression.” Paintings, printmaking, glass mosaic and embroidery become a conduit and continuation of storytelling—an age-old tradition occurring throughout history. Past and present is linked further as the artist prompts the viewer to consider our shared cultural narratives that she embeds in her imagery. Her contemporary viewpoint combines with a mythological retelling to encompass broader concepts reaching into thematic relationships and a range of ideas. One medium inspires another. “Printmaking definitely informs my painting; I make sketches to draw the lithographs and paint paintings from the prints.” Her figurative imagery extends beyond the present referencing a world of diversity and richness.
Mary Josephson studied in Paris, France, at the École National Superior des Beaux Arts before receiving a BFA from the Pacific Northwest College of Art. She has been exhibiting her work since 1983 including shows at the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Health Sciences University, the University of Austin in Texas, and the Bellevue Art Museum, WA. Prominent collections include Safeco, Microsoft, Oregon State University, Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Portland Art Museum. Commissions include work for Southern Oregon University, the Tigard Public Library, OR, Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Portland Fire and Rescue in conjunction with RACC, OR, Oregon Food Bank, and Multnomah County’s Juvenile Justice Center in Portland, OR.