Artist Highlight: Mary Ellen Scherl
Photo by Pedro Wazzan.
Mary Ellen Scherl’s practice has largely been focused on women’s issues. Sculpting in clay, casting in bronze and stainless steel, carving stone, photography, film, installations and painting are all within her toolbox. The subject of her latest work is an ambitious series of portrait paintings in oil honoring the women of our U.S. Armed Forces.
Can you tell us about your artistic practice?
I have always been a ‘maker.’ As a child growing up in Miami I didn’t have an abundance of art supplies. A box of Crayola crayons was about it. I remember spending hours in my room coloring or making things from nothing but found objects and my imagination. Little has changed. I still spend hours. Whether abstract or figurative, regardless of the media, each work is usually a precise and detailed endeavor requiring lots of time, especially the portraits of our Service Women.
Social Art, ‘making’ a difference, has also been a part of my practice. In the early 2000’s I created and launched Mamorial, a national breast cancer initiative. Survivors made molds of their cancer affected chests and told stories about their personal cancer journeys. This collective effort created awareness and healing though exhibitions, installations and performances.
In 2019 I grew concerned about the spiraling fragility of our democracy. I wondered if by returning to my Social Art practice I could soften the antipathy and build bridges between communities. Through my new work, Defending Democracy: Portraits of U.S. Military Women on Canvas and Film, my intention is to remind my fellow citizens that freedom and democracy rise from individual commitment and sacrifice. What better example of commitment and sacrifice than the women who are willing to give their lives to protect our democratic values, our freedom, our country and our Constitution?”
Tell us about a personal artistic project or body of work that you are currently excited about.
This new body of contemporary portraits, as well as a developing docu-series, explores the powerful, historic, unsung stories of women who serve. (My mini crew of female Veterans and I are invited to start filming at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa in April.) When I began this project in August 2020 it felt important, but I didn’t realize its magnitude. The women I am meeting have reached all ranks and have earned all awards. To do so, they must work harder than their male peers often in conditions that are not designed to accommodate their gender differences. By relaying their stories through portraiture and film, we can affect policy, removing all barriers to their service. By preserving their stories, our daughters and sons and future generations will have an accurate, first-hand depiction of their contributions to our nation’s history. And by sharing their stories, their lives beg the question to us all, “Am I doing my part?”
To date, very little recognition has been given to the women who have been volunteering for military service since the Revolutionary War. It is time they are recognized for their invaluable contributions to the defense of our nation.
On March 18th in celebration of Women’s History Month, ArtSouth and the Village of Palmetto Bay, with the support of multiple sponsors, will be exhibiting a selection of my portraits. At the opening we expect a diverse mix of folks from civilian, political and military communities, and we will be filming the event for our docu-series.
Tell us about how you have developed as an artist since you began working at Bakehouse
Bakehouse has given me a place to connect, share ideas and collaborate with some awesome artists, and the space to experiment and transition from one oeuvre to another. When I first arrived at Bakehouse, my paintings were minimalist abstractions informed by the 3-dimensional structure of human genome. By making work related to genetics I was processing the mystery of my own DNA, as I was adopted as an infant. This body of work coincided with an 8-year journey that in 2019 resulted in finding my birthparents. It was then that I felt ready to begin something new and meaningful and return to my social art practice.
Defending Democracy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, thus, the work is not for sale. Bakehouse has been a wonderful grassroots environment for sharing my message to our visitors. Through community events it has been seen, and discussed, and received exposure that has led to opportunities for exhibitions, media coverage and funding. To learn more about Defending Democracy please visit our website: www.usmilitarywomen.org
Through this newsletter I am extending this invitation to all. Hope to see you there!
