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Mirabel Wigon is an artist residing in the San Joaquin Valley of California. She creates large-scale landscape paintings grappling with environmental phenomena resulting from, and related to, the built landscape. The paintings acknowledge infrastructure instability and ecological degradation as dire existential threats, emphasizing the flawed modernist narrative of progress and innovation.
Wigon’s paintings are a conglomeration of signs, where the accumulation of imagery and painted layers creates a perplexing and tenuous notion of the “whole” built from many discrete fragments of perception. Technological systems mediate a vast amount of information which shapes the conception of space, place, and depth. These systems alter one’s experience of space through accumulation, imbalance, and overload, resulting in opulence teetering at the edge of collapse. The opulence visible in her practice explores experience, immersion, and separation within her immediate environment.
The work contends with various painting languages of abstraction, naturalism, digital codes, and diagrammatic schemes to layer representations of a place, resulting in a compounded view. The paintings’ surface complexity is a product of continual accumulation of visual imagery and materials. The scenes depicted in her paintings are contradictions, where form and gesture take on multiple aspects. The incongruously held together forms allude to the instability inherent in our environment. The work has evolved from overt messages relating to the disparaging of energy production and distribution, to utilizing the landscape and environmental phenomena as a metaphor for catharsis amid tumultuous instability. In her most recent work, an event predicates a transcendental experience in the face of the sublime. Ultimately the work coalesces a colossal amount of contradictory information to create a nebulous space that amplifys anxieties, yet offers hope in the face of uncertainty.
Wigon’s works have been featured in numerous group exhibitions both regionally and nationally. Her recent work has been exhibited in Cementation/Dissolution at Axis Gallery in Sacramento, CA; Fragments at Strata Gallery in Santa Fe, NM; New Voices at the Jacki Headley University Art Gallery in Chico, California; Shifting Ground at the Michael Stearns Gallery in San Pedro, CA; Made in California at Brea Gallery in Brea, CA; and Painted 2021: 5th Biennial Survey at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Traditional Art from California State University, East Bay and her Master of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from California State University, Long Beach. She is currently Assistant Professor of Art at California State University, Stanislaus where she teaches seminar courses, and upper division drawing and painting.
2021
- Master of Fine Arts, Drawing & Painting, Dean’s List, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
2014
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Traditional Art, Cum Laude, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA
2021
- Assistant Professor, Art Department, California State University, Stanislaus, CA
2020
- Instructor of Record, Foundation Color Theory, Fall 2020, California State University, Long Beach, CA
2024
- Into the Thicket, Strata Gallery, Santa Fe, NM (upcoming solo)
- Faculty Showcase, Faculty Development Center Exhibition (upcoming solo)
- Exchange Exhibition, Hyperlink Collective, Denver, CO (upcoming)
- In Color, Long Beach Creative Group, Long Beach, CA (upcoming)
- Hollow Veil, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA (upcoming solo)
2023
- Annual Group Show, Strata Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
- BNSA, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
- Cementation/Dissolution, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA (solo)
- Valley Focus: Four Perspectives, Carnegie Art Center, Turlock, CA
- (Im)Permeable Film, Stan State Art Space, Turlock, CA (solo)
- Fragments, Strata Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2022
- Double Take, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Fire & Water, University Art Gallery, Hayward, CA
- New Voices, Jacki Headley University Art Gallery, Chico, CA
- Unheard Voices, Fullerton Event Center, Fullerton, CA
- Sunflowers for Ukraine, Flatline, Long Beach, CA
- All Four Horizons, Flatline, Long Beach, CA
- Please Wait, Saddleback Art Gallery, Mission Vejo, CA
- Displaced, MSR President’s Office, Turlock, CA (solo)
- Shifting Ground, Michael Stearns Studio, San Pedro, CA (solo)
2021
- Horizon 2.0, Shoebox Projects, Los Angeles, CA (virtual)
- Drawn to Paper: Fresh Perspectives in Mixed Media, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA
- Painted 2021: 5th Biennial Survey, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
- ALPAY: Now Trending, Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, CA (virtual)
- Made in California, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA
- (Per)mutations, Gatov Gallery, Long Beach, CA (solo)
2020
- Electric, Midnight Gallery, Long Beach, CA
- Remembrance, AT a Distance Gallery, Hayward, CA
- Hobson’s Choice, Torrance Art Museum, Torrance, CA
- Insights, Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, Long Beach, CA
- Fog, Gatov Gallery, Long Beach, CA
2019
- Urban Labyrinth, Dutzi Gallery, Long Beach, CA (solo)
- Grad Critique Week, Gatov Gallery, Long Beach, CA
- ALPAY: Now Trending, Palos Verdes Art Center, Palos Verdes, CA
- President’s Show, Miller House, Long Beach, CA
- Insights Show, UAM, Long Beach CA
2018
- Grad Critique Week, Merlino Gallery, Long Beach, CA
- Alumni Show, University Art Gallery, Hayward, CA
2017
- Seemingly Corporal Structures, Professional Development Center, Oakland, CA (solo)
- 100 Under 100, WAL Public Market Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Inner Soul, Uptown Studios, Sacramento, CA
- Identity, Apothic Heart Tattoo Collective, Sacramento, CA
- Art Showcase, Cafe Colonial, Sacramento, CA
- M5Arts Benefit Show, Ruhstaller Beer, Sacramento, CA
- Rising, University Art Gallery, Hayward, CA
2016
- Lamentations in Time, White Buffalo Gallery, Sacramento, CA (solo)
- The Impression: A Print Survey, Blue Line Arts, Sacramento, CA
- City of Trees Art and Ink Expo, Convention Center, Sacramento, CA
- Sacramento Open Studios, Verge Center for the Arts, Sacramento, CA
2015
- Birds & Bells, Cornerstone Coffee Brewing Co, Castro Valley, CA (solo)
- Surreal Wall, Blackbird Beer and Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2014
- A Sense of Urgency, University Art Gallery, Hayward, CA (solo)
- Connections III Exhibit, Livermore Bankhead Theater, Livermore, CA
2013
- New Members & Emerging Artists Show, Hayward Art Council, Hayward, CA
2023
- Alexander Zimmerman, Interview, Art Professor Podcast, October 13, 2023.
- Dean DeCocker, “Faculty Art Exhibition Catalog”, CSU Stanislaus, September 22, 2023. 54-55.
- David Olivant, “Fragments Exhibition Catalog”, Strata Gallery, January 1, 2023. 32.
- Mirabel Wigon, “Adrift”, Desire Paths Exhibition Catalog, May 19, 2023. 2-5.
- Brian Miske, “Student and Faculty Art Exhibitions at Stan State Open Art Space”, CSU Signal, February 27, 2023. 1-11.
- Marie Thibeault, “Reframing the Sublime”, (Im)permeable Film Exhibition Catalog, CSU Stanislaus, January 24, 2023. 8-9.
2022
- Jason Franz, “Painted 2021 5th Biennial Survey of Contemporary Painting”, MEAS18, (Forthcoming)
- Natalie Villanueva, “Open Art Sessions Offer Artists a Unique Experience”, CSU Signal, October 27, 2022. 1-4.
- Melina Paris, “Shifting Ground, An Exhibition of Works by Mirabel Wigon”, Random Length News, February 24, 2022.
2021
- Alexander Zimmerman, Interview, MFA Chronicles Podcast, March 6, 2021.
2019
- Kris Williams, Interview, VoyageLA, October 21, 2019.
2013
- Robert Lopez, Interview, Vitae Magazine No.1, Fall Issue, 2013.
2023
- Artist in Residence, The Place on the PCH, Oceano, CA
- Travel Fund Award Summer ($500)
- Teaching Initiative Award Fall ($500)
- Funding for studio easels and travel easels for student use.
- Travel Fund Award Fall ($500)
- Instructional Related Activities Award ($26,250)
- Funding for student assistants, model session, studio supplies, and lecture series.
- Research Scholarly and Creative Activities Grant ($10,000)
- Funding for residency and for student studio assistant.
2022
- Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning Grant ($500)
- Funding for large format substrates.
- Teaching Initiative Award Fall ($500)
- Funding for magazine subscriptions for student use.
- Travel Fund Award Fall ($750)
- Instructional Related Activities Award ($15,340)
- Funding for student assistants, model session, studio supplies, and lecture series.
- President Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Grant ($1,000)
- For guest speakers for painting program visiting lecture series.
- Travel Fund Award Spring ($750)
- Teaching Initiative Award Spring ($500)
- Funding for new easels.
2021
- Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning Grant ($500)
- Funding for software for Painting Program iPads.
- Travel Fund Award ($600)
- Teaching Initiative Award ($500)
- Funding for phone holders for online synchronous courses.
- Research Scholarly and Creative Activities Grant ($10,000)
- Funding for solo exhibition and for student studio assistant.
2020
- Marilyn Werby Endowed Scholarship
2019
- Provost Purchase Award
- Linda Day Memorial Scholarship
2014
- CSUEB Portfolio Award
2013
- Hayward Arts Council Award
2019
- Provost Collection CSULB, Long Beach, CA
2023
- Artist Lecture, Art 2530 – Art Appreciation Fall 23, CSU Stanislaus, CA
- Moderator & Organizer: Workshops on Racism, Sexuality, and Gender, CSU Stanislaus, Turlock, CA
- Desire Paths Panel Moderator, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Valley Focus: Four Perspectives Panel Conversation, Turlock, CA
- Artist Talk, Stan State Art Space, Turlock, CA
2022
- Artist Lecture, Art 2530 – Art Appreciation Fall 22, CSU Stanislaus, CA
- Artist Lecture, Visiting Artist Lecture Series, CSU Chico, CA
- All Four Horizons Panel, Flatline Gallery, Long Beach, CA
- Artist Talk, Michael Stearns Studio, San Pedro, CA
2021
- Professional Practice Panel, BFA Capstone Course Fall 21, CSU Long Beach, CA
- Common Ground – Artist Panel, Manifest, Cincinnati, OH
- Artist Lecture, Art 507 – Art Appreciation, San Diego City College, San Diego, CA
- Artist Lecture, Fall 21: Art 381 Intermediate Drawing, CSU Long Beach, CA
- Artist Lecture, San Pedro Art Center, San Pedro, CA
2019
- Color Theory Workshop Teaching Assistant Long Beach Art Museum, Long Beach, CA
- Artist Talk, Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, Long Beach, CA
- Visiting Artist Critic: CSULB BFA Caps Course, Long Beach, CA
2023
- Exhibition Organization – Comp Show Committee Chair, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Exhibition Curation & Installation, Desire Paths, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Guest Juror, Annual Juried Art Department Exhibition, MJC Art Gallery, Modesto, CA
- Guest Juror, GOT Kids Foundation, SJC Historical Museum Barn, Lodi, CA
2022
- Exhibition Curation & Installation, Double Take, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Exhibition Curation & Installation, At the Gift Shop, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Exhibition Installation & Marketing, Axis 17th National Juried Exhibition Seeing in Real/Time, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
- Guest Juror, Major’s Art Show, City Hall, Lathrop, CA
- Guest Juror, Youth Art Collective, MJC Art Gallery, Modesto, CA
2021
- Guest Juror, Carnegie Art Showcase, Carnegie Arts Center, Turlock, CA
- Exhibition Curation & Event Organization, California MFA Exhibition, CSULB
2020
- Exhibition Curation & Installation, Greater Los Angeles MFA Exhibition, CSULB
2023-Present
- Strata Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2021-Present
- Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2020-2021
- President, Fine Arts Roundtable (FAR) Graduate Student Organization
2019-2020
- Vice President, Fine Arts Roundtable (FAR) Graduate Student Organization
2018-2019
- Member, Fine Arts Roundtable (FAR) Graduate Student Organization
2016
- Myrtle Press Member
2015
- Hayward Art Council Member
