ARTIST STATEMENT:
Alexandra Rose is an intermedia artist whose creative process is a therapeutic ritual that explores the perpetual evolution of the authentic self. While Rose's work spans various disciplines, they are drawn to metal in sculpture and photography, captivated by the transformative qualities inherent in these processes. The interplay of positive and negative within mold-making and photo development holds a particular fascination, embodying a balance of control and surrender that resonates deeply with the artist. Rose is interested in metal's capacity for metamorphosis—from rigid to soft, invisible to visible, fluid to hardened—and relates to this material’s duality as a genderfluid maker. Utilizing labor-intensive processes and reflective storytelling, their artworks often center on the body as a vessel for understanding life's experiences, whether through representational depictions or objects evocative of bodily forms. Their work demonstrates the transformative power of self-expression and reflection in shaping narratives of identity and belonging.
BIO:
As of 2022, Rose has worked as an Artist-in-Residence at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, AL, where they have taught three seasons of the summer youth apprenticeship program, participated in almost weekly iron pouring demonstrations, led cyanotype workshops, and assisted in blacksmithing, welding, and casting workshops. During their time with Sloss Metal Arts, they have participated in multiple group shows, such as Scale, which they helped curate, and Confluence at Lowe Mill in Huntsville, AL, in addition to art fairs like the Magic City Art Connection. In 2023, they were the recipient of an education grant from the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths and a scholarship for F.I.R.E. at the Metal Museum.
From 2019 to 2021, they worked for Artworks Foundry as a Production Assistant, which included being the mold librarian, a wax chaser/pourer, a member of the bronze pouring team, a ceramic shell technician, a mold maker, and a general laborer on other special projects. In 2021, they also worked at The Crucible in Oakland, CA, as the mold-making and foundry TA. During the summer of 2021, they completed a month-long internship at Sculpture Trails, where they installed Stripped in the Outdoor Museum’s collection. Rose served on the 2021 Steering Committee for the National Conference for Cast Iron Art and Practices, co-organizing panels and presentations. In 2019, they received their Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Institute of American Indian Arts, where they majored in studio arts with an emphasis on bronze casting and historical chemical darkroom photography.