Mary Zeran
Cedar Rapids, IA
Mary Zeran creates Contemporary abstract paintings bursting with joyous color.
Message
Mary Zeran (b. 1964, Iowa City, IA) is a third generation woman artist who creates abstract paintings full of intense color and patterns inspired by the Japanese technique of Shibori.
The artist holds a B.F.A. and M.F.A in art from University of Iowa. She was a founding member of SOIL Gallery in Seattle, WA. Zeran’s collage are shown internationally, with exhibitions at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA, SOIL Gallery, Seattle, WA, and Chiang Mai University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Her work is in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Cedar Rapids, IA, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, Harvard Business College, Boston, MA, and United Fire Group, Los Angeles, CA. Artist Residencies, and public commissions include Oregon College of Arts and Crafts Residency, and a 2% for the Arts Purchase Prize from the Visual Arts Commission in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Her work is included in the book "Chunghi Choo and Her Students", published by Arnoldsche, Stuttgart, Germany, The New Art Examiner, and Artweek, Seattle, WA.
Zeran currently lives and works in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Statement
Rooted in a family history rich with textile artistry, my Shibori pieces are an homage to the enduring love for fabric passed down from my mother, a skilled maker, and my grandmother, a textile designer. Introduced to the Shibori technique during my college years, I was captivated by its organic spontaneity, which now forms the essence of my artistic expression.
As an abstract artist, I immerse myself in a world where colors collide to create patterns and emotions. Through my dual practice of painting and sculpture, I explore the interplay between form and texture, inviting viewers into a realm where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary.
In my paintings, slick, transparent polyester film and acrylic paint are my materials of choice. Working on an uneven surface, I allow the paint to slide and converge, yielding bold, swirling hues that traverse the spectrum of emotion. Through color, I create narratives that transcend conventional storytelling.