Image courtesy of Lauri Lynnxe Murphy.
Bio Art: Artmaking with Nature
This 4-week class combines art history and experimentation to explore the emerging movement of Bio Art. Rooted in environmental concerns and science; Bio Art can range from working with natural materials to manipulating DNA. Students will be introduced to “Agar Art” which involves cultivating bacteria, work with foraged and harvested materials from nature, and will be encouraged to explore mediums through a conceptual and research-based lens. Students will discover new ways to look at art and will study Bio Artworks represented in the Denver Art Museum’s collection by artists Ernesto Neto, Karen Kitchel, and others.
No prior technical knowledge or specific experience is required, though a sense of curiosity and willingness to explore will be richly rewarded. Students will experiment with new materials each week, that may culminate in a finished artwork. The DAM’s Sensory Garden will be a focal point, and each class will feature a lecture along with hands-on experimentation and artmaking.
Pricing: $150 for Museum Friends and CultureHaus, $155 for members and students, and $180 for non-members. Students will purchase their own materials and should expect to spend $20-$40. The DAM will supply bulk materials for an included $20 studio fee.
Refund and Class Cancellation Policy: The DAM adheres to a no-refund, no-exchange policy. If you are unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation. If a class or workshop is cancelled due to inclement weather or teacher illness, a make-up day will be scheduled as the educator’s schedule allows.
Photo by Tommy Shine
About the Educator
Lauri Lynnxe Murphy is a bio artist, sculptor, curator and writer living in Denver, Colorado. She received her master of fine arts from The Ohio State University on University Fellowship in 2012 and has spent her life building community and DIY gallery spaces and advocating for artists alongside her own robust studio practice. Her work is research-driven and science-based, and focuses on insect extinction, mutation, climate change and biophilia. Much of her work is made by collaborating with endangered species and the systems they employ, such as building sculptures with bees or making drawings with snails.
