CAUI LOFGREN

Hitting the Wall

Recognition, identification, alienation, aggression, and submission reflect some of the mental states experienced as we seek to find ourselves through each other.  In admiration of the supermodel or super athlete, the subject of my work twists and contorts so as to identify with the impenetrable ideal.

The wall designs give the structural and symbolic context to the individual's physical anguish within a preexisting system.  In this case the system is both internal and external.  Internal, because the sculptures represent both the Pituitary and the Adrenal glands releasing hormones into the bloodstream.  External, because the circuit boards from which the wall designs are drawn from come from communication devices such as cell phones, etc.

Hitting the Wall alludes to an athletic vernacular expression referring to a state of euphoria, a sudden surge of endorphins, experienced under extreme physical activity.  This brief feeling of release and surrender brought on (if only chemically) through the agony of the body serves as a metaphor in my work for a quest to identify with the real through the unavoidable media-un-reality.   The wall in this case also refers to the ever shifting gap between the viewer and the performer, between the real and the ideal.


Caui Lofgren 2005


Education:

2001-03	MFA,University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2000	BA,University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
1991-95	University of Oregon, Eugene, OR

Exhibitions:

2005	Bettcher Gallery, Miami, FL
2004	Holiday and Sport , Solo Show.  The Art Store.  Gainesville, FL
2003	Annual Faculty Exhibition – Santa Fe Community College Group Show.  Santa Fe Gallery. Santa Fe Community College. Gainesville, FL Carroll College, Waukesha, WI Creations; An All Male Group Show , The Art Store, Gainesville, FL Master of Frine Arts Exhibition, University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
2002	Annual Florida University Student Juried Exhibition, Atlantic Center for the Arts. Guest curator: Kerry James Marshall.  June --Art on Douglas Gallery, New Smyrna Beach FL                   July -- Arts Learning Gallery, Tallahassee, FL 12th Annual University Student Exhibition, Guest curator: Michael Rush,  University Gallery, University of Florida.Gainesville, FL
2001	12th Annual University Student Exhibition,  University Gallery, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, Guest curator:  Vincent P. Burke.
1997	Walls with Art, The Gallery Alafili.  Group Show Albany, CA
1996	Queenzenart , The Beerness Saloon.  Group Show.  San Francisco, CA

Awards:

2002	Dean's Award University of Florida, Fine Arts Department, Gainesville, FL
2001	Harn Museumof Art Studio Award, Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, Gainesville, FL
1998	Certificate of Appreciation for Community Involvement, City of Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks, Santa Rosa, CA