Nicci Schwartz
Hixson, TN
A multi-disciplinary artist whose work is a dialogue between simplicity and complexity within a quest to find connection in the everyday through mundane tools.
MessageNicci Schwartz is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work creates a dialogue between simplicity and complexity within a quest to find connection in the everyday through mundane tools such as ink and paper. The smaller scale of the pieces she creates invite the viewer to draw closer for a more personal conversation creating a shared experience between her thoughts and the observers feelings.
Schwartz holds a Bachelor of Special Studies in Art with concentrations in Art History and Business from Cornell College and a certification in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts. She interned with The Art League of Alexandria, VA. Since then, she has served as the Executive Director of the Chattanooga Girls Choir.
Growing up in the Metro Washington, D.C. area, Schwartz was immersed in the Arts. As such, she learned the importance of composition, balance, and narrative—concepts that seamlessly translate from the dance floor to the page. Schwartz’s artistic journey is a tapestry of accumulated knowledge, from the technical skills of sewing to the nuanced linework of ink. These varied experiences converge within her work, where each stroke, dash, and wash is rooted in something deeply personal.
Early in her career, Schwartz’s work was selected to be recognized at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 2024, Schwartz’s work has appeared in eight Chattanooga exhibitions, including the Clearstory “InkyOctober” Show, and Stove Works for the Red Dot Collection. Schwartz is a member of the Association for Visual Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Schwartz currently has a work on display at the Cha Arts Space at the Chattanooga Airport.
Statement
My work is a dialogue between simplicity and complexity within a quest to find connection in the everyday. Using ink, I create layers, textures, and depth to evoke emotions of familiarity and nostalgia. The subject matter of my pieces often springs from universal themes such as cats and apples. However, whether it’s the texture of a cat’s fur, the sheen of a forgotten apple, or the eerie stillness of a forest, my intention is to seek out details that highlight how special these subjects are. My intention is not to replicate reality when capturing these moments, but to invite a deeper, emotional resonance with the viewer creating a shared experience—a bridge between my thoughts and the observers feelings.
The tools I choose to work with—paper and pen—further strengthen this connection. These are everyday items, yet I use them to craft something meaningful out of the mundane. The smaller scale of the pieces I create invite the viewer to draw closer for a more personal conversation.
A combined visual and learning disability has provided challenges that drive my desire to push boundaries and defy expectations. I am drawn to the energy and emotive power found in simple, bold lines. My goal is to capture an essence through texture, shadow, and contrast that feels more than just visual—it becomes an experience that the viewer can almost touch, hear, and remember.
As I push myself to explore deeper connections with my work, I hope to create something that resonates with others—something that allows them to step into my world. My art is about shared experiences and emotions, the fleeting moments that, when captured, transcend time and space.
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