AERA, also known as Ashleigh Elizabeth Rylander Abbott (b. 1981) is a multi-disciplinary artist whose practice encompasses sculpture, performance, sound, painting, and writing. She focuses on the ontological origins of gendered experiences, exploring the complexities of identity, motherhood, and scientism. Utilizing play, dance, research, speculation, and dreams, AERA’s work jumps between intuitive physicality and historical inquiry, aiming to illuminate new paradigms. With a flair for the speculative, abstract, and humorous, her art confronts social norms while engaging with themes of light and dark, biology, mythology, and gritty documentation.
Currently, AERA is exploring the intersections of psychological, psychedelic, and raw emotional experiences. She views materiality as concept-driven, often asking, “What are the limits of this material?” By engaging in a direct dialogue with her materials, she pushes boundaries to evoke emotion through form. She perceives materials as self-encrypted entities with unique properties, much like plants that possess innate medicinal qualities. Through playful interaction with substances such as turmeric, diamond powder, activated charcoal, and chitin, she creates a rich lexicon of form. Her work draws inspiration from the sensory world, dreams, technology, and the natural environment, addressing themes of death, birth, and the fluidity of identity.
AERA’s current projects include investigating the personal stories of individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) and their experiences with hormone-altering birth control methods, delving into the interplay of body, gender, work, and capitalism. Works in progress such as Birth of the (Human) World, a social practice sound installation, and Demonology, a research-based sculpture series, exemplify her commitment to merging critical cultural analysis with diverse materials and communities. Additionally, she explores social practices through pieces like Communal Beast and First Steps into Fire, fostering meaningful dialogue and engagement.
Ultimately, AERA’s work invites viewers to confront harmful coding in common storytelling and the complexities of gender, intimacy, and the human experience. Through her installations and performances, she creates spaces for reflection, encouraging audiences to consider their own narratives within the broader tapestry of identity and cultural resilience.
AERA holds a BFA and a BUS from the University of New Mexico, as well as an MFA from Parsons, The New School. She has received several accolades, including the Covington Rhodes Prize and The Bio Design Challenge Award. As the 2022 Curator Fellow at Parsons, her work has been exhibited in New Mexico, New York, and internationally, appearing in venues such as Gallery MC, the Aronson Gallery, and Grace Exhibition Space.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2023 Parsons, New School, New York, NY- MFA
2021 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico - BFA
2011 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM - BUS
2009 Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
2008 Gaia Education, Certificate in Sustainable Urban Design, Albuquerque, NM
Gabor Maté compassionate inquiry certificate, Albuquerque, NM
2007 Curandersimo certificate, Oaxaca, Mexico
Medical Spanish certificate, Oaxaca, Mexico
2001 Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, New Mexico
2000 Seattle Central Community College, Seattle, Washington
1999 Documentary Film internship, Subhari Network, Mumbai, India
1998 Scott Baxter, Commercial Photography, Scottsdale, AZ, internship
1997 College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico
EXHIBITION RECORD
2024 Exquisite Corpse, Chicken Coop Collective, Brooklyn, NY
Experimental performance in collaboration with Carolina Muñoza, Grace Exhibition Space, NYC Glass House Spring Open Studios, Glass House Studios, NYC
2023 Thesis Show Aaronson/Keller Gallery Manhattan, NYC, NY
Museum Interaction, SMK Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
There is Only After, MC Gallery, Manhattan, NYC, NY
2022 ALGO(RYTHM), Tanthem Collective, Manhattan, NYC, NY
First Steps into Fire (Performance), This Flesh is All I have to Offer Group Show, Grace Exhibition Space, New York, NY
Spring 2022 Open Studios, Parsons 25 E 13th Building, NYC, NY
Everything Her You Saw Last Night, Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery at Parsons, NYC, NY
2021 Sex, Money, Trash - Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery, Manhattan (NYC), NY
Material as Metaphor, Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery, New York, NY
Her Strength, Collab with Jodie Herrera and New Mexico United, Albuerque, NM
2020 Covington Rhode Senior Prize Winner Exhibition, Virtual, worldwide & Albuquerque, NM,
Regional winner presentation, Bio Design Challenge International Virtual Exhibit, worldwide
2019 Intersections of Digital and Physical Media Group Show, UNM ArtsLAB, Albuquerque, NM
2018 Urban Abstractions, Solo Show, Ojo Optique, Albuquerque, NM
2012 International Symposium of Electronic Arts (ISEA), Albuquerque Museum with Meow Wolf, Albuquerque, NM
Backseat Driver, solo, The Orpheus, Albuquerque, NM
2011 Arte Nazari, City Invitational Photo Show, Meknes, Morocco
2010 Immigrants in Sports, Group Show, Granada, Spain
2000 De-generated Poetry, Group Show, Seattle Central Community College, Seattle, WA
1998 Solo exhibit, Portraits on Metal, Aztec Cafe, Santa Fe, NM
Emerging photographers of the Southwest, Regional Juried Photography Competition Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM
CURATING
2023 There is Only After, Gallery MC, Manhattan, NYC
2022 Parsons 25 E 13th Gallery Curator Fellowship, The New School, NYC
Everything Her You Saw Last Night, Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery, (NYC), NY
Trash, Sex, Money, 25 E 13th Gallery, (NYC), NY
2013 Love, Hydra Gallery. Albuquerque, NM
2012 Home, Hydra Gallery. Albuquerque, NM
RESIDENCIES
2024 Italienska Palatset Residency, Vaxjo, Sweden (self directed)
Ovtcharov Art Residency, Novo Selo, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (self directed)
AWARDS
2022 Curatorial Fellow for 25 E13th Gallery, Parsons Fine Arts, The New School
2020 Covington Rhode Senior Prize Winner
Winner of New Mexico Chapter of Bio Design Challenge (BDC)
2016 9th International Color Awards Nominee, Tracks, International (Online)
1998 2nd Place Winner, Emerging photographers of the Southwest, Regional Juried Photography Competition Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM
PRESS
2020 KUNM University Showcase with Megan Kamerick, Brillo The Snail, Radio Interview
KRQE Local News, Brillo The Snail, Televised Interview
UNM Newsroom, Brillo The Snail, Print Interview
Daily Lobo (UNM University Paper), Brillo The Snail, Print Interview
ACTIVISM & VOLUNTEERING
2023 Co-founded Banned Book Club for Kids
2016 Babes and Bullies, Pitbull Rescue, Photographer
2012 Crossroads For Women, photo documentary, women in transition out of prison program, Albuquerque, NM
2006-2010 Casa de Salud (formerly Topakahl Clinic), Medical Assistant, Volunteer Organizing and training, Grant Writing, Handbook Writing, Albuquerque, NM
2007 Agencia De Rap, Fundraising and equipment procurement, Volunteering, Training, Havana, Cuba
2006-2009 Hip Hop en Cuba, Fundraising, Party Planning, Materials Supplying, Havana, Cuba/Albuquerque, NM
2006-2008 Kalpulli Izkalli, Volunteering, Book Keeping, Organization of Volunteers, Albuquerque,
ABQ2Cuba, Volunteer Organizing, Materials and Supply Gathering, Fundraising, Party Planning, Resistance and Protest Training, Albuquerque, NM
IFCO/Pastor for Peace, Organizing, Materials and Supply Gathering, Fundraising Volunteering, Albuquerque, NM/Cuba
PUBLICATION AS AUTHOR
2012 “Cuentame Ya- Experiences in Morocco During Arab Spring 2010-2011; the Protesting Frontlines, Child Immigration, and an Exiled Candidate from the Democratic Republic of the Congo” Published online 2012, removed from online for revisions.