THE CONCEPT | Organic Abstracts The Work of AK Westerman
My joy in creating comes from a deep desire to comment on humanity’s place on this earth, and the constant battle between man, nature and technology. As an artist, I strive to capture on 'canvas' the perfection in God's design. We battle endlessly with ourselves, the earth, and our search for purpose and place in the universe. Mankind continually strives for evolution, both in process and in innovation. We search out that which inspires us. We dream, create, destroy, and dream again. Our successes and our failures weave a complex and unique tapestry that defines our struggle for advancement. Perfection is elusive. Our efforts often result in the destruction of the natural elements around us. Our history and our future bear the scars of our continued attempts to harmonize with - yet enslave- the natural forces that hold sway on our world. Nature, man and technology are locked in an endless war, bloody yet beautiful. Every cycle cleansing and bringing life anew. I am continuously drawn to this epic and endless dance.
THE WORK | Fantasy & Surrealism That Engage
While every piece is derived from her own personal narrative, AK always attempts to include some ambiguity, allowing the viewer to fill in pieces of the story according to their own unique perspective. She enjoys working on a large scale, as she believes it creates an almost ‘epic’ feel for the viewer, allowing them to lose themselves in the minute details. The term ‘organic’ is an apt description for both her creative process and her choice of subject matter, as she prefers to let the work take on a life of its own and her subconscious express itself freely and fluidly without preconceptions. AK's work can be described as fantasy, steampunk, and pop surrealism.
AK has exhibited in gallery exhibitions throughout the United States including in Oklahoma, Colorado, California, Ohio, and Texas. Her work is held in private and public collections throughout the country. After finishing her residency at Valkarie Gallery in Lakewood, CO, AK is ensconced in her studio creating a new body of work.
FEBRUARY 2023
"Down The Rabbit Hole"
VALKARIE GALLERY, LAKEWOOD, CO
FEBRUARY 2022
Chinese New Year Exhibition - Year of the Tiger
VALKARIE GALLERY, LAKEWOOD, CO
JULY-AUGUST 2021
"Of Which We Are Made"
VALKARIE GALLERY, LAKEWOOD, CO
JULY - AUGUST 2020
Mythical and Elemental Forces - Of Earth, Water and Man
VALKARIE GALLERY, LAKEWOOD, CO
With Mythical and Elemental Forces: Of Earth, Water and Man, artist AK Westerman has ventured further into her exploration of the complex relationships and delicate balance between man, nature and technology. With the “Reclamation” series, Westerman invites the viewer on a visual journey of apocalyptic nature, as ‘goddesses’ of the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water return to reclaim an Earth undone by man’s folly. While the artist works almost exclusively on wood panel, “Persephone” marks a departure for Westerman, the ebb and flow of the goddess’ hair and accompanying flora marked by burning the wood, known as pyrography. This tactile turn is continued throughout her work for the exhibition, including the “Aubergine” series, in which three works utilize the same color palette to completely different effect, encouraging us to acknowledge the power of perception. Westerman’s lush and intricate compositions can be described as surreal, fantasy, scifi, and steampunk. The artist’s hope is that her work will encourage the viewer to contemplate the more earnest and ponderous questions of our existence while imbuing a sense of wonder.
2017 – JUNE 2019
BOULDER DIGITAL ARTS | BOULDER, CO
ELDORADO SPRINGS ART CENTER | ELDORADO SPRINGS, CO
DONA LAURITA GALLERY | LOUISVILLE, CO
BOULDER DIGITAL ARTS | BOULDER, CO
ELDORADO SPRINGS ART CENTER | ELDORADO SPRINGS, CO
DONA LAURITA GALLERY | LOUISVILLE, CO
2019 | BOULDER OPEN STUDIOS - Juried Artist
FEBRUARY-APRIL 2019
Tattoo Metamorphosis | Lyons, CO
MARCH-APRIL 2019 | Month of Photography
HEAL: Dona Laurita Collective
Dona Laurita Gallery, Louisville, CO
Boulder Digital Arts, Boulder, CO
Eldorado Springs Art Center, Eldorado Springs, CO
HEAL: Dona Laurita Collective
Dona Laurita Gallery, Louisville, CO
Boulder Digital Arts, Boulder, CO
Eldorado Springs Art Center, Eldorado Springs, CO
OCTOBER 6,7,13,14, 2018
Open Studios – Boulder, Colorado – Eldorado Springs Art Center, Eldorado Springs, CO
Open Studios – Boulder, Colorado – Eldorado Springs Art Center, Eldorado Springs, CO
SEPTEMBER 2017
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Annual Juried 12 x 12 Exhibition
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Annual Juried 12 x 12 Exhibition
JULY 2016
SOLO EXHIBITION “BEYOND”
GRAPHITE ELEMENTS AND DESIGN | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
SOLO EXHIBITION “BEYOND”
GRAPHITE ELEMENTS AND DESIGN | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
With BEYOND, AK Westerman offers a compilation of works designed to incite the imagination and encourage us to embrace a state of amazement and wonder we so often abandon after childhood. Vivid swirls of color and washes of light contrast with furtive, otherworldly creatures wrapped in darkness. Lush landscapes teeming with new life integrate seamlessly with technological and inorganic elements in intricately detailed compositions. Each piece is left deliberately open to interpretation, and invites escape to a world confined only by the limits of our own innovation.
AUGUST 2016
EXHIBITION WITH NANCY JACKSON “TURN”
THE PROJECT BOX | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
EXHIBITION WITH NANCY JACKSON “TURN”
THE PROJECT BOX | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
In their first exhibition together, ”Turn”, acrylic artist AK Westerman and jewelry designer Nancy Jackson invite us to turn our eyes to the perfection of the natural beauty that surrounds us, and to reexamine the changing of seasons as it represents cleansing and rebirth in nature as well as in our own personal journeys. Jackson brilliantly captures ephemeral moments in the earth’s seasonal transitions with masterfully crafted designs created from earth’s most precious metals and minerals. The delicate radiance of Jackson’s work can only be described as captivating wearable art. The jewelry collection is the perfect complement to Westerman’s intricate and otherworldly interpretations of nature’s metamorphosis. Her works consist of wood panels featuring deeply textured compositions of charcoal, acrylic, sculpted clays and gels, each panel depicting the inevitable passage of time. Together the artists hope to create a visceral experience that invites viewers to explore our integral connection to creation.
OCTOBER 2016
“CURIOSITIES” AK WESTERMAN & DORSHAK BLOCH/BOMBS AWAY ART
MAINSITE CONTEMPORARY ART | NORMAN, OK
MAINSITE CONTEMPORARY ART | NORMAN, OK