Member Feature: Julie K. Gray

After experiencing a near-death incident in 2009, much of Julie K Gray’s artwork addresses mortality, mourning culture and the psychological space of limbo.

portrait of Gray, courtesy of the artist

Julie is a Maine-based interdisciplinary artist creating works primarily in papier-mâché, needlepoint and photography. She earned her BFA in Photography from Rhode Island School of Design in 2005 and has since earned her MFA in Studio Art from Maine College of Art in 2012.

In order to address the intangible subjects in her practice, she has come to use symbolic means, humor, cultural signposts and varied media to open up dialog about mortality and spiritual inquiry - subjects typically deemed “taboo” in contemporary North American society.

Postmortem: Margaret, 2019

Chapel Photo-Op, 2010

In order to speak about the intangible subject of mortality through her work, Julie has come to use more symbolic means of addressing the subject. Humor and kitsch, as well as the use of naïve, childhood craft materials help such weighty subject matter become accessible to the audience.

To learn more about Julie K Gray’s practice and connect with her, visit www.juliekgray.com or follow her on IG at @juliekgray.