About Naomi Middelmann
My work explores the permeability of the individual’s sense of self. Not wanting to limit myself to one medium, I draw, paint, sculpt and assemble as an expression of the disparate nature of identity and societal roles. The combination and juxtaposition of different techniques and textures, and the use of unprepared canvas (as well as other materials), explores the fragility of matter and of the individual in our contemporary world.
My latest drawing series, called the “bubble” drawings, explore the theme of ephemerality, the prints of my finger express the way we are transformed with time.
My interest in the ambiguity of perception, and in how artists can contribute to scientific study on perception and understanding the creative process have led me to actively collaborate and design research projects with various leading neuroscientists at top universities in the USA, Germany and Switzerland.
I have given public lectures and participated in academic study days at museums, galleries as well as at academic institutions on the subject of perception, my own artistic process and the place of art and artists in society today.
Born in Switzerland, I moved to New York when I was 16. After earning a degree in Creative writing and International Relations from Johns Hopkins University (with a 4 year scholarship for Outstanding Academic achievement) , I started a publishing house with a friend in New York. When I returned to Switzerland, I earned a postgraduate degree in the visual arts from the Visual Art School in Basel in 2009.
Since graduating from art school late 2009, my work and process has been shown in over 40 solo and group shows in galleries and art fairs in Europe, USA and Switzerland.
My work is featured in major public and private collections in Switzerland , Europe and the USA.
I am on the organising committee for the Lausanne artist association APERTI, which organizes conferences, events, and shows.
Exhibitions:
Solo Exhibits (selection)
2008 Mercerie 12, Lausanne, CH
2010 Espace Tour, Lausanne, CH
2011 Gallery Arcane, Corcelles CH
2011 Gallery Pré-du-Marché, CH
2012 Gallery Edouard Roch, Ballens CH
2013 Gallery SpaceStation, Lausanne CH
2013 Gallery Arcane, Corcelles (NE), CH
2014 Gallery Edouard Roch, CH
2014 Gallery EPFL, Lausanne, CH
2016 Gallery Edouard Roch, CH
2016 Space Station (Off space), CH
2016 Basel Klein Kunsthalle, Basel, CH
2017 MK gallery, Freiburg, DE
Group Exhibits (selection)
2011 Xanadu Gallery, Scottsdale, USA
2012 Gallery Espace Aurore, CH
2012 JayKay Gallery, Carrouge, CH
2012 “International Drawing 2012”, The Swiss Art Space , CH
2013 Gallery Edouard Roch, “30 years”, CH
2015 « Displaced » Node Gallery, Helsinki, FI
2015 EPFL Art space, Lausanne, CH
2015 “Swiss Contemporary Abstract”
Gallery Rossi, Geneva, CH
2015 Galerie Edouard Roch, Ballens CH
2016 Kunsthalle, Klein Basel, CH
2017 Galerie Edouard Roch, CH
2019 Venice Biennale, European cultural Center, GAA foundation
Art Fairs
2015 “Art Contemporaries” special project of Art Athina, GR
2015 Art Vilnius , UFOFABRIK Gallery, LI
2015 CAR (Contemporary art Ruhr), DE
2015 Paratissima, Torino, UFOFABRIK, IT
2016 Cuarto Publico, UfoFabrik, SP
2016 Verona Art Fair, UfoFabrik IT
2016 CAR, UfoFabrik, DE
2017 YIA Art Fair, Kunsthalle Klein Basel, NL
2017 YIA, Kunstlalle Kleinbasel, Basel, CH
Acquisitions
In various major private and public collections in Switzerland, Europe and the USA
Publications, Catalogues, Media coverage
2012 Journal La liberté, Switzerland
2012 Catalogue « Art takes Miami», USA
2012 Drawing 2012, catalogue, CH
2013 Journal de Moudon, Switzerland
2013 24 heures, Switzerland
2014 EPFL Flash magazine, CH
2015 24 Heures CH
2015 Cover art for Nov. issue Neuropsychologia
2015 Art Reveal magazine (5 page feature)
2016 Hardbib magazine feature story
2016 Gazette des Arts feature story
2016 Interview on CQFD; RTS 1
2016 Aperti X, Atelier et Intimité book
2016 Articulaction, Feature article
2016 Coverart for “Neuropsychologia”
2016 Coverart for “Trends in Neuroscience”
2016 24 Heures, CH
Conferences and public talks
2015 Brains takes on art, Gallery Rossi, CH
2016 SIK ISEA Conference on the artistic process, Musée de Pully, CH
2017 "Réflexions sur la perception", Conférence Aperti, Palais de Rumine, CH
Scholarships and Prizes
Scholarship for academic achievement, Hackley, New York
Samuel Eldridge Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Johns Hopkins University
2012 Scope Miami art fair billboard winner
2015 “ TINA” Prize finalist
2015 Saatchi art-prize semi-finalist
2015 Artavita Apexart semi-finalist
2015 "Art Special Contemporaries" art project, Art Arthina
2016 Curated Project for Verona Art Fair Winner
