heather ujiie

Heather Ujiie

Artist statement:

In my current textile installation work, I strive to create large-scale allegorical narratives that utilize analog and digital craft and technology. As a designer and an artist, I hope my work suggests a fusion between clean elegant design, and the raw underpinnings of creative expression. I am preoccupied by the dichotomies within the human condition, and notions pertaining to gender, mortality, existence, and sexual identity. Much of my work is informed by historic iconography and nature studies, as well representations of endangered species, and the oncoming Anthropocene. As an interdisciplinary artist, my work is a synthesis of several methods of artistry, including painting, drawing, stitching, and printing with innovative large-format digital printing technology. I hope my digitally printed textile installations ignite deep spiritual forays into the imagination, and generate personal reflection on what is hidden, whether it be our own personal demons, or our lust for life.

Biography and Education

Heather Ujiie grew up in NYC’s Greenwich Village, part of a family of artist educators, and believes her creativity comes from a lively bohemian childhood. She is an Interdisciplinary Assistant Professor at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, and her installations and artwork have been exhibited both nationally and Internationally. She has participated in exhibits at Hangaram Museum of art, and the Seoul Art Center in Korea, The Salon Art & Design Fair at the Park Ave. Armory in NYC, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Delaware Art Museum, Hunterdon Museum of Art, Racine Art Museum, Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Philadelphia International Airport, and the Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial Museum

Heather Ujiie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Visual Art from the State University of New Paltz, New York, New York State Certification in Art Education K-12 from Brooklyn College, and an Associate’s Degree in Textile Surface Design, from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She has over 15 years of experience as a textile designer, designing printed textiles for the high-end home furnishing and apparel markets in New York City. Her commercial printed textile designs have had numerous clients including Flavor Paper, and The White House private residences for President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, in Washington D.C. She has also designed costumes for experimental theater and Dance in NYC, including The Julliard School and Jean Cocteau Repertory Theater.