Connections 2 (2005)

 
About The Artist:
Janet Hudnut Ahrens is a professional paper and book artist who is deaf. She uses both European and Western methods for paper formation.

Janet has an MA and a MFA from the University of Iowa. In August of 1995, she was one of three artists representing the United States and Iowa, as a Yamagata Fellow at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington.

Working with artists from different countries, Ahrens participated in an open studio, exploring and advancing adaptive paper techniques for people with disabilities. Several pieces that she created are now part of the Yamagata Institute’s International Collection.

Janet recently received a cochlea implant.

Artist's Statement:
My two and three dimensional pieces are made from flax, cotton, or kozo. Many of them are sculptured in design depicting Iowa's many-faceted landscape.

The passage of time, the rough vigour and the spontaneity that resembles nature show in my work. So too, the ever-changing landscape that has been a constant theme.

My books try to take the viewer away from the traditional rectangular format to a sculptured presentation. The book format intimately involves the viewer with the piece. By handling the book, the viewer has control over reshaping its planes, like the environment does to the landscape.

She has described this piece as being: "A moment in time: capturing the ever changing moments in waiting. The swirl of unnoticed nature around us. Detailed life - epitomizing our own mortality."

Exhibitions:

1999	Work by Women – Ceres Gallery – New York, NY
1999	Art and Soul – Los Angeles, CA
1998	Winter Wonderland – The White House, Washington D.C
1998	Walker Gallery – Philadelphia, PA
1998	International Olympic Traveling Exhibit – Nagano, Japan
1997	No Boundaries – Cambridge Gallery, Cambridge, MA
1996	Iowa Designer Craft "96" – Polk Country Heritage Gallery – Des Moines, IA
1996	Book Arts Exhibit – Marvin Cone Gallery – Coe College – Cedar Rapids, IA
1996	Shape- Shifting: Transformations in the Art of the Book – Greeley, CO
1996	11th International Exhibit: Transit Museum – Philadelphia, PA
1996	MFA Exhibit: Museum of Art – Iowa City, IA
1996	Iowa: A state of Mind: Arts – Iowa City, IA
1996	Multiple Talents 8: Arts – Iowa City, IA
1995	Design Exhibit – Eve Drewetowe Gallery – University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA
1995	Multiple Talents VII – Iowa City/Johnston County Arts Center, Iowa City, IA
1994	Paper Book Exhibit – Center for the Book, Minneapolis, MN
1994	Iowa Designer Crafts Exhibit – Polk County Heritage Gallery – Des Moines, IA
1993	Clay & Fiber Exhibition – Octagon Center for the Arts – Ames, IA
1993	Drake University Women’s Voices / Mirror of the Soul – Harmon Fine Art Center
1993	Solo Exhibit Paper Works – Embassy Club – Des Moines, IA
1993	Solo Exhibit Paper Works – Grinnell Art Gallery – Grinnell, IA
1993	Exploring Paper – Grant Wood AEA – Cedar Rapids, IA
1993	Grinnell Invitational Show – Grinnell Art Gallery – Grinnell, IA
1992	Women’s Show – Jean Burkle Women’s Center – Grinnell, IA
1991	Annual Octagon Exhibit – Ames, IA
1990	Streetscapes III – Davenport Museum of Art – Davenport, IA

Activities and Honours:

2000	Showcase on Educational Technology – project award winner
1999	Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts "Excellence in Sculpture" – Philadelphia, PA
1999	Byrn Mawr "Second Place" Sculpture and "Honourable Mention" Crafts – Philadelphia, PA
1998	Byrn Mawr "First Place" Sculpture and "Second Place" Works on Paper – Philadelphia, PA
1996	Transit Museum "Best of Show" and "First Place" Sculptures, Philadelphia, PA
1995	Yarnagata International Visual Art Fellowship – Corcoran Gallery, Washington, DC
1994	Recipient of University of Iowa Fine Art Grant
1992	Recipient of Artist Professional Development Grant Iowa Art Council, Des Moines