Biography & Statement
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Biography
Adrianna Speer is a visual artist and educator based in Ruston, Louisiana. She holds a BFA from Louisiana State University and an MFA from Louisiana Tech University, where she is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Studio Art. Speer’s work has been shown globally, including at Site: Brooklyn (NY), Verum Ultimum Gallery (OR), Baker University (KS), Red Springs Artspace (NC), Jag Gallery (FL), and Diderot Gallery (France), and has been featured in publications like QUARTERLY and Divide Magazine.
She has participated in artist residencies at Taleamor Park (IN), Burren College of Art (Ireland), and Padula Art Center (Italy), among others. Recent accolades include a Finalist Award from Art Show International, a Merit Award from Tubac Center of the Arts, and a solo exhibition at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
In 2024, Speer received both the Denis Diderot and Emerging Artist grants, enabling her to attend the Château d'Orquevaux Artists & Writers Residency in France. Recently, she has had a solo exhibition at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and residencies at the Rural Residency for Contemporary Art in Italy, the Virginia Center for Creative Arts, and PROArtes México.
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Statement
My approach to painting is an ongoing exploration of how personal experience intersects with universal themes. Much of my work begins with en plein air oil sketches; painting directly from the environment as a dialogue with place and time. Light, color, movement, and sound inform each decision, while weather, passers-by, and shifting conditions challenge me to respond instinctively. Through these experiences, I aim to translate atmosphere into color, form, and light that evoke an emotional essence.
In the studio, I merge traditional observational techniques with digitally manipulated sketches to create pseudo-autobiographical mixed-media works. These narrative pieces explore identity, selfhood, social commentary, and existential reflection. Ultimately, my goal is to capture the complexity of the human experience and invite viewers to consider the space where the personal and the ordinary converge.