Virginia Mallon

This exhibition showcases the arc of my art career from 1985 to 2025. It highlights not only my evolution as an artist but also the enduring themes that have been central to my work since the beginning. My education began mentoring under Indian Space and Political Satirist Robert Barrell in his Queens studio. I further refined my skills at Queens College, studying under Elias Friedensohn, Robert Bermelin, and Marvin Bileck, ultimately graduating with a liberal arts degree that included a fine arts major with courses in the humanities, archaeology, and anthropology. 

 

When I launched my art career in 1985, I entered a landscape that was largely unwelcoming to female artists, with few paths available for women at that time. Rather than succumbing to the cliche of the starving artist, an unromantic reality I knew all too well, I resolved to carve my own path and simultaneously navigate both the art world and corporate America. While I found this dual existence challenging, it fueled my creativity, as I firmly believe that art must transcend mere aesthetics and genuinely reflect the world around us. My work is far from decorative; it is crafted to provoke thought and inspire dialogue. Throughout my career, I have assumed various roles in addition to being an artist.  Jobs included corporate travel agent, bank teller, shoe salesman, secretary, sandwich maker, and events planner. I've sold consumer goods, bug spray, speed starch, and oven cleaners. My resume spans the hospitality, law, finance, and non-profit sectors. Even as an imposter, I can run the rat race with the best of them, all the  while taking notes.  These insights eventually find their way into figurative imagery infused with themes of angst, anger, encouragement, and hope. 

 

Despite the changes in the art world since 1985, many challenges linger; our voices and choices remain under siege, making it increasingly difficult for artists to thrive. Throughout my artistic and professional endeavors, recurring themes continue to question the role of women in society.  My early work juxtaposed nature and humanity, exploring their interplay and endurance. Over time, I have expanded my focus to address critical issues like the biological clock, infertility, and the glass ceiling, evolving to confront sexual assault, domestic violence, the erosion of feminine power, and the struggle for authenticity.  Much of my work draws from personal histories and delves into the psychological undercurrents of modern life. I critically analyze my experiences against the backdrop of historic, religious, and mythological figures, weaving compelling narratives into images that I hope resonate with audiences.  I balance the turbulence of this work with a series titled "American Toile" with humorous portraits of family, neighbors, friends, and other creatives I respect.

 

I am proud to share this body of work which summarizes the circle of my artistic journey since graduation. The road ahead remains challenging, I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight my roots which began here at Queens College in 1985.