Irene Nelson

Irene Nelson is a painter, printmaker and ceramicist based in the San Francisco East Bay. Born in in New York City in 1951, Nelson moved to the Bay Area in the 1970’s where she initially pursued interests in photography, documentary filmmaking, and acting. After returning to art school, Nelson went on to establish a successful 30 year career as the founder of a boutique graphic design firm. The firm specialized in producing Annual Reports.

Since 2012, Nelson has engaged in a dedicated painting practice. Highlights include showing at the competitive San Francisco DeYoung Museum Open 2020, featured shows at Gearbox Gallery, and dozens of curated group shows. Publications include Crocker Kingsley 2022, 48 Pillars, Arc Gallery 2022, Artists of the Bay Area 2021, Spaces Between, Gearbox Gallery 2019, Hariban Awards 2015.

Her paintings, photo etchings and monoprints convey inquisitiveness, a sense of adventure, and the promise of something better ahead. Nelson’s zesty color palette and pared down shapes tumbling confidently through an easeful space combine to create a dynamic, hopeful environment. Nelson’s more recent ceramic work has begun an exploration of her shapes in three dimensional form.

SOLO OR FEATURED EXHIBITIONS


2023

Songs and Stories, Manna Gallery, Oakland, CA

Works on Paper, Walnut Creek Downtown Library, Walnut Creek, CA



2021

Shapes and Spaces, Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA


2019

Spaces Between, Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA

Interiors, Ruby LivingDesign, Mill Valley, CA

2018

Passion and Restraint, Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA


2017

Other Conversations, Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA

Making a Mark, Arthouse on R, Sacramento, CA

Abstract Spaces, Piedmont, CA

No Things, Only Connections, Domain Gallery, Oakland, CA


2016

Abstract Geography, 201 California Street, San Francisco, CA

At Home, San Francisco Zen Center, San Francisco, CA

2015

Panorama Gallery, Oakland, CA


2014

The Wall Gallery, Oakland, CA



SELECTED JURIED GROUP EXHIBITIONS


2022

Crocker Kingsley, Blueline Arts, Roseville, CA

Contemporary Bay Area Abstract, Belvedere Tiburon Gallery, Tiburon, CA

48 Pillars, ARC Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Lori Austin Gallery, Healdsburg, CA



2021

Slice, Pence Gallery, Davis, CA, honorable mention



2020

DeYoung Museum Open, San Francisco, CA



2019

SJICA Connect & Collect Art Auction and Exhibition, San Jose, CA

Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA



2018

Artists' Annual, Ka...