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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.  

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