Ashleigh Abbott (AERA) is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. She makes large-scale installations, sculptures, performances and publishing projects designed to test how power, desire, and responsibility are employed in social constructions.
Her work draws from research into mythology, childhood, beauty culture, labor, and digital infrastructure. Using materials such as rhinestones, donated clothing, salt, synthetic hair, light, sound, and architectural elements.
Across her practice, Abbott is interested in how people learn to perform what is expected of them, and what kinds of interior or imaginative life can still take place alongside that performance.
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, and Morocco.
CV
EXHIBITION RECORD
2025
Cyborg Lifestyle Magazine Launch at 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, NYC
2024
Exquisite Corpse, Chicken Coop Collective, Brooklyn, NY
Experimental performance in collaboration with Carolina Muñoza, Grace Exhibition Space, NYC
UNKNOWN, The Art of Advocacy, 547 W 27th Gallery, Manhattan, NYC, NY
Glass House Spring Open Studios, Glass House Studios, NYC
2023
Thesis Show, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery, NYC, NY
Museum Interaction, SMK Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark
There is Only After, MC Gallery, 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
2021
Sex, Money, Trash - Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery, New York, NY
Material as Metaphor, Group Show, 25 E 13th Gallery, New York, NY
Her Strength, Collab with Jodie Herrera and New Mexico United, Albuquerque, NM
2020
Covington Rhode Senior Prize Winner Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM & virtual, worldwide
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
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)
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
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