SHEREE HOVSEPIAN
We are delighted to introduce our latest Marfa Muse, visual artist Sheree Hovsepian.
Iranian born, Sheree studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Glasgow School of Art and now resides and works in New York.Her talents as an internationally acclaimed visual artist extend across photography, assemblage, drawing and sculpture.
Sheree constantly seeks to push boundaries with her work via an exploration of the abstract through her physical presence, with a focus on the human form and identity. Her work is currently included in the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, The Milk of Dreams, curated by Cecilia Alemani, with a whole room dedicated to her work, and next is a month-long artist residency in March 2024 at the American Academy in Rome.
Alongside this she has frequent solo and two-person exhibitions globally, with permanent collections on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Bronx Museum, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and the Studio Museum in Harlem, among others.
Sheree wears the Parachute Bomber in Midnight / Reverse: Olive in size S-M with the Knitted Hood Black, layered with the Cropped Aviator Vest in size XS and the Aviator Collar in Black.
Tell us about your background
I am a visual artist working and living in NYC. My work takes many forms such as photography, assemblage, drawing and sculpture. I am also a wife, and mother to a beautiful 12 year old boy named Julius.
Talk us through your career journey so far
I am grateful that I have been able to make a life from work that I love the most. I show my work nationally and internationally and my work is included in many institutional and private collections. I was included in the 2022 Venice Biennale “The Milk of Dreams” curated by Cecilia Alemani, which was a career highlight.
What inspires your work?
I like to think about my work as an exploration of the abstract as mediated through my physical presence. Thinking about how to give form to this idea is endlessly inspiring to me. I also like to read theoretical texts about photography and consciousness. I am always thinking about artists who came before me and those working contemporaneously and thinking about how my work fits into this landscape. I am also inspired by my own work and will often have ideas that stem from other works in my studio.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the life I have built in New York City (the city of dreams!) despite my humble beginnings. I am proud of being present and available for my family, friends and community.
What's next?
I am always working in the studio to push boundaries within my practice and work through new ideas. My career goal is to focus on institutional visibility as that is a way to reach a broader audience. I am very much looking forward to a month-long artist residency in March at the American Academy in Rome.
How do you style your Marfa Stance pieces and why do you like the brand?
I love my Marfa Stance pieces because they can be worn in so many ways! The quality of the materials and attention to detailing allow me to style my Marfa Stance pieces both high and low. I’ll wear my jacket to a workout over my gym clothes and it instantly elevates my look for the discerning NYC streets. Or, I’ll wear the vest solo with jeans and that is a look in itself. The jacket is chic enough to wear over a black slip dress and look cool and confident for an evening in the city going to an art opening or dinner.
Photographer: Abbey Drucker