Ashleigh Abbott (ZOOPSIA) is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Working across installation, sculpture, performance, and publication, her practice investigates the systems that attempt to govern bodies, capitalism, religion, patriarchy, and specifically how these systems colonize the concept of nature itself, using it as a tool to enforce conditions that are profoundly unnatural.
Her work draws from embedded fieldwork across migration routes, healing practices, and communities that resist assimilation, manifesting as sensory fields of black charcoals, brilliant rhinestones, aromatic pine sap, donated clothing, salt, synthetic hair, and light. Each material is transformed through original engineering and ancient traditions. Humor lives in the resulting forms, finding the pressure points where the pretension of control reveals its own absurdity.
Abbott has been a fellow at The New School and a recipient of the Covington Rhodes Prize and the BDC Award. Her work has been exhibited at Grace Exhibition Space, Gallery MC, Aronson Gallery, and internationally in Spain, Bulgaria, Mexico and Morocco.
EDUCATION
2023 MFA, Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York, NY
2021 BFA, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2011 BUS, Bachelor of University Studies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2009 Study Abroad, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
Certificates & Specialized Training
2008 Certificate in Sustainable Urban Design, Gaia Education, Albuquerque, NM
2008 Compassionate Inquiry Certificate, Gabor Maté
2007 Certificate in Curanderismo, Oaxaca, Mexico
1999 Documentary Film Internship, Subhari Network, Mumbai, India
RESIDENCIES
2025 Independent Working Residency, host Evelina Nolin, Växjö, Sweden
2025 Independent Working Residency, Novo Selo, Bulgaria
EXHIBITIONS
2025
Cyborg Lifestyle Magazine Launch, Soft Weapons, Brooklyn, NY
Letters For The Future, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NY
HeatMaps, The Loft, Brooklyn, NY
Radial Minds, SVA Curatorial Program, Brooklyn, NY
AERA Open Studio, Glass House Studios, New York, NY
2024
Exquisite Corpse, Chicken Coop Collective, Brooklyn, NY
Commune-cater, Performance in collaboration with Carolina Muñoz, Grace Exhibition Space, New York, NY
The Art of Advocacy, 547 W 27th Gallery, New York, NY
Glass House Spring Open Studios, Glass House Studios, New York, NY
2023
Matter as Fallen Light, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery, New York, NY
Play, SMK Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
There is Only After, MC Gallery, New York, NY
2022
ALGO(RYTHM), Tandem Collective, New York, NY
First Steps into Fire, This Flesh is All I Have to Offer, Grace Exhibition Space, New York, NY
Spring Open Studios, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY
Everything Her You Saw Last Night, 25 E 13th Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY
2021
Sex, Money, Trash, 25 E 13th Gallery, New York, NY
Material as Metaphor, 25 E 13th Gallery, New York, NY
Her Strength, Collaboration with Jodie Herrera and New Mexico United, Albuquerque, NM
2020
Covington Rhode Senior Prize Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM
Bio Design Challenge, New Mexico Chapter Winner Exhibition, Virtual
2019
Intersections of Digital and Physical Media, UNM ArtsLAB, Albuquerque, NM
Urban Abstractions, Solo Exhibition, Ojo Optique, Albuquerque, NM
PERMANENT COLLECTION
2023–present
Ovtcharov Art Museum, Novo Selo, Bulgaria
PUBLICATIONS
2025 Cyborg Lifestyle Magazine, Issue 1. Editor, writer, designer, and publisher.
Distributed through independent bookstores and art book fairs.
Part of the Brooklyn Public Library borrowable art collection, New York, NY.
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
2022 Curatorial Fellow, 25 E 13th Gallery, Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York, NY
2020 Covington Rhode Senior Prize, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2020 Regional Winner, New Mexico Chapter, Bio Design Challenge
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2025 “Ashleigh Abbott: A Parallel Now — A New Species,” Subo Art Magazine, Issue 45/46
2020 Brillo the Snail, KRQE Channel 13, Albuquerque, NM, June 2020
2020 Brillo the Snail, KUNM NPR, Albuquerque, NM, June 2020
2020 Brillo the Snail, KOB Channel 4, Albuquerque, NM, June 2020
2020 Brillo the Snail, Daily Lobo, University of New Mexico, June 2020
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
2024 Founder, SYMD Intersectional Parents Night, New York, NY
2023 Co-founder, Banned Book Club for Kids, New York, NY
2016 Documentary Photographer, Babes and Bullies Pitbull Rescue
2012 Documentary Photographer, Crossroads for Women, Albuquerque, NM
2006–2010 Volunteer Medical Assistant, Volunteer Organizer, Grant Writer, Casa de Salud, Albuquerque, NM
2006–2009 Volunteer Fundraising, Supply Procurement, and Volunteer Organizing, Hip Hop en Cuba / Agencia de Rap, Havana, Cuba / Albuquerque, NM
2006–2008 Volunteer Organizer, ABQ2Cuba / IFCO / Pastors for Peace, Albuquerque, NM / Cuba
2006–2008 Volunteer, Kalpulli Izkalli, Albuquerque, NM