Artist Statement
You can mean well and still trap something. The act of making, of tending, of preserving, of containing, is always also an act of control. I love natural history institutions. I am drawn to their collections, to their ability to reveal the wonders of the natural world. But they are also part of the problem, documenting the very systems of exploitation they helped sustain. Land stolen, commodified, and repackaged as education. Bears shot for science and roped for spectacle. My work interrogates how acquisition of animals, land, and knowledge has shaped what we think we know about the natural world. I am caught in this loop, drawn to these places while questioning the histories they preserve.
My work centers on systems of display, preservation, and the boundary between the natural and the constructed: how institutions collect, classify, and present the living world, and what gets lost or distorted in that process. The bear is my primary case study. Maternal, dangerous, sovereign, stuffed, collected, managed, and displayed. Bears have been shot for science and roped for circus acts, frozen in taxidermy poses meant to look natural and placed in dioramas designed to look wild. The California grizzly appears on a state flag. It is extinct. We preserved the image and lost the animal. I spent ten years as an educator in a natural history museum. I know how these stories get told. My work lives in the gap between the label that fits on a placard and the truth that does not.
Sometimes children's books lay out what seems complicated in simple terms. The Little Prince gave me context for this failure: the failure to tend what you have tamed. We have tamed an enormous amount. We have not kept up with the responsibility.
When the problem becomes unsolvable from the inside, the speculative fiction enters. In my current work I have been imagining an intergalactic intervention: outside forces arriving first as witnesses, then as participants, offering a view from outside the systems we have lived inside so long we stopped seeing them.
My process reflects this push and pull between inside and outside, made and found, controlled and feral. I work across printed and hand-drawn surfaces, layering marks that belong to different systems of making. The resulting works sit in between: neither purely archival nor purely intuitive. They are, I hope, a little like the bear itself: something that does not fully belong to any system that has tried to claim it.
My work centers on systems of display, preservation, and the boundary between the natural and the constructed: how institutions collect, classify, and present the living world, and what gets lost or distorted in that process. The bear is my primary case study. Maternal, dangerous, sovereign, stuffed, collected, managed, and displayed. Bears have been shot for science and roped for circus acts, frozen in taxidermy poses meant to look natural and placed in dioramas designed to look wild. The California grizzly appears on a state flag. It is extinct. We preserved the image and lost the animal. I spent ten years as an educator in a natural history museum. I know how these stories get told. My work lives in the gap between the label that fits on a placard and the truth that does not.
Sometimes children's books lay out what seems complicated in simple terms. The Little Prince gave me context for this failure: the failure to tend what you have tamed. We have tamed an enormous amount. We have not kept up with the responsibility.
When the problem becomes unsolvable from the inside, the speculative fiction enters. In my current work I have been imagining an intergalactic intervention: outside forces arriving first as witnesses, then as participants, offering a view from outside the systems we have lived inside so long we stopped seeing them.
My process reflects this push and pull between inside and outside, made and found, controlled and feral. I work across printed and hand-drawn surfaces, layering marks that belong to different systems of making. The resulting works sit in between: neither purely archival nor purely intuitive. They are, I hope, a little like the bear itself: something that does not fully belong to any system that has tried to claim it.
Meredith Cawley
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.meredithcawley.com
| 2026_cv_references_meredith_cawley.pdf |
EDUCATION
2016 — MFA, Sculpture, University of Houston, Houston, TX
2012 — BFA, Sculpture, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
2016 — MFA, Sculpture, University of Houston, Houston, TX
2012 — BFA, Sculpture, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
EXHIBITIONS
2026 You Are Here (group, curated by Max Marshall) — Golden Triangle Mall, Denton, TX
2025 The Specimen and Spectacle (solo) — Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
Inspiring Imagination Educators' Art Collective — Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
2024 Silent Screams (juried by Red Milk Crone) — 500X Annex Gallery, Dallas, TX
2023 Membership Show: PRESENCE — The MAC, Dallas, TX
UNT Faculty Art Exhibition — UNT COLAB, Denton, TX
An Unlikely Meeting & Exodus (solo) — One River School, Frisco, TX
150 Years / 150 Artists — Fort Worth Contemporary Arts, Fort Worth, TX
No Vacancies (solo) — Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
In Conversation with Tait's "In a Tight Fix" (solo) — Box 13, Window Gallery, Houston, TX
2022 12th Biennial Artists' Book Competition — Greater Denton Arts Council / Patterson Appleton Arts Center, Denton, TX
Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
2021 Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
2020 Studio Art Adjunct Exhibition — Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
2019 Monster Challenge — The Village, Bryan, TX
2018 What is the opposite of a Computer? — Inner Space Gallery, Dallas, TX
Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Rendezvous: A Meeting of Art and Place — Goldmark Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2017 Beyond Form (curated by Du Chau) — The Center, Dallas, TX
2026 You Are Here (group, curated by Max Marshall) — Golden Triangle Mall, Denton, TX
2025 The Specimen and Spectacle (solo) — Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
Inspiring Imagination Educators' Art Collective — Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
2024 Silent Screams (juried by Red Milk Crone) — 500X Annex Gallery, Dallas, TX
2023 Membership Show: PRESENCE — The MAC, Dallas, TX
UNT Faculty Art Exhibition — UNT COLAB, Denton, TX
An Unlikely Meeting & Exodus (solo) — One River School, Frisco, TX
150 Years / 150 Artists — Fort Worth Contemporary Arts, Fort Worth, TX
No Vacancies (solo) — Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
In Conversation with Tait's "In a Tight Fix" (solo) — Box 13, Window Gallery, Houston, TX
2022 12th Biennial Artists' Book Competition — Greater Denton Arts Council / Patterson Appleton Arts Center, Denton, TX
Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
2021 Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
2020 Studio Art Adjunct Exhibition — Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
2019 Monster Challenge — The Village, Bryan, TX
2018 What is the opposite of a Computer? — Inner Space Gallery, Dallas, TX
Hot and Sweaty — 500X Gallery, Dallas, TX
Rendezvous: A Meeting of Art and Place — Goldmark Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2017 Beyond Form (curated by Du Chau) — The Center, Dallas, TX
CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
2024 Co-organizer -- In The Making: Exploring Process, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
2022 Creator, Organizer & Curator — Not Your Mother's Paper Doll, Union Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
Co-organizer — 2nd Annual Digital Tools Student Showcase, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT
2021 Co-organizer -- 1st Annual Digital Tools Student Showcase, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT
2019 Co-Curator — Semester Snapshots: Design II Pop Up Event, CVAD, UNT, Denton, TX
2018 Curator — Rendezvous: A Meeting of Art and Place, Goldmark Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
2024 Co-organizer -- In The Making: Exploring Process, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
2022 Creator, Organizer & Curator — Not Your Mother's Paper Doll, Union Gallery, UNT, Denton, TX
Co-organizer — 2nd Annual Digital Tools Student Showcase, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT
2021 Co-organizer -- 1st Annual Digital Tools Student Showcase, Paul Voertman Gallery, UNT
2019 Co-Curator — Semester Snapshots: Design II Pop Up Event, CVAD, UNT, Denton, TX
2018 Curator — Rendezvous: A Meeting of Art and Place, Goldmark Cultural Center, Dallas, TX
ACADEMIC & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2022–Present Foundations Lecturer (Lead Faculty, ART1600) — University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Courses: ART1600 Perception and Translation · ART2020 Digital Tools and Technologies · ART1700/1800/1900
2021 Adjunct Professor, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX Color and Design
2018–2021 Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
2019 Adjunct Professor, Cedar Valley College, Lancaster
2018 Adjunct Professor, Color and Design, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Director's Administrative Assistant, Galleri Urbane, Dallas, TX
2017–18 Administrative Assistant, Liliana Bloch Gallery, Dallas, TX
2006–19 Museum Educator, Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, Bryan, TX
2015–16 Graduate Teaching Fellow, Fundamentals of Sculpture, University of Houston, Houston, TX
2014 Teaching Assistant, Fundamentals of Sculpture — University of Houston, Houston, TX
2010–11 Art Department Fabrication Tech — Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
2022–Present Foundations Lecturer (Lead Faculty, ART1600) — University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Courses: ART1600 Perception and Translation · ART2020 Digital Tools and Technologies · ART1700/1800/1900
2021 Adjunct Professor, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX Color and Design
2018–2021 Adjunct Professor, University of North Texas, Denton, TX
2019 Adjunct Professor, Cedar Valley College, Lancaster
2018 Adjunct Professor, Color and Design, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Director's Administrative Assistant, Galleri Urbane, Dallas, TX
2017–18 Administrative Assistant, Liliana Bloch Gallery, Dallas, TX
2006–19 Museum Educator, Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, Bryan, TX
2015–16 Graduate Teaching Fellow, Fundamentals of Sculpture, University of Houston, Houston, TX
2014 Teaching Assistant, Fundamentals of Sculpture — University of Houston, Houston, TX
2010–11 Art Department Fabrication Tech — Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS
2026 Presenter — "Archive to Adventure: Reigniting Curiosity Through Campus-Based Creative
Research" DEL "In Between" International Webinar, Digitally Engaged Learning, United Kingdom
2025 Panel Chair — FATE Conference: Next Now, Washington, D.C.
"Beyond the Adage" · "Sparking Wonder"
2024 Instructor — Inflatables Workshop, Onstead Institute for Education in the Visual Arts & Design,
Lewisville, TX
2023 Presenter — "Book History in the Margins," APHA The Printed Weird Conference, Austin, TX
Co-Presenter (with Meagan May) — "Not Your Mother's Paper Dolls," Pop Culture Conference, San
Antonio, TX
Presenter — "Fostering an Authentic Inclusive Curriculum," FATE Conference: Serious Play, Denver,
CO
Teaching Artist — Drawing from the Collection, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Instructor — Inflatables for Fine Arts PD Fest, Onstead Institute / Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2022 Teaching Artist — Drawing from the Collection, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Instructor — Narrative through Paper Kinetics, Onstead Institute / Fort Worth ISD
Presenter, UNT Foundations Symposium, Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2019 Artist Talk — University of North Texas, Design II Lecture, Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2018 Guest Lecturer — Texas Christian University, Professional Practices: "Gallery Life: Behind the
Scenes"
2017 Guest Lecturer — Texas A&M Commerce, Art Appreciation; Sam Houston State University,
Professional Practices
2026 Presenter — "Archive to Adventure: Reigniting Curiosity Through Campus-Based Creative
Research" DEL "In Between" International Webinar, Digitally Engaged Learning, United Kingdom
2025 Panel Chair — FATE Conference: Next Now, Washington, D.C.
"Beyond the Adage" · "Sparking Wonder"
2024 Instructor — Inflatables Workshop, Onstead Institute for Education in the Visual Arts & Design,
Lewisville, TX
2023 Presenter — "Book History in the Margins," APHA The Printed Weird Conference, Austin, TX
Co-Presenter (with Meagan May) — "Not Your Mother's Paper Dolls," Pop Culture Conference, San
Antonio, TX
Presenter — "Fostering an Authentic Inclusive Curriculum," FATE Conference: Serious Play, Denver,
CO
Teaching Artist — Drawing from the Collection, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Instructor — Inflatables for Fine Arts PD Fest, Onstead Institute / Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2022 Teaching Artist — Drawing from the Collection, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Instructor — Narrative through Paper Kinetics, Onstead Institute / Fort Worth ISD
Presenter, UNT Foundations Symposium, Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2019 Artist Talk — University of North Texas, Design II Lecture, Denton ISD, Denton, TX
2018 Guest Lecturer — Texas Christian University, Professional Practices: "Gallery Life: Behind the
Scenes"
2017 Guest Lecturer — Texas A&M Commerce, Art Appreciation; Sam Houston State University,
Professional Practices
FUNDING & GRANTS
2024–25 Fellowship--Special Collections Research Fellowship, UNT Libraries
2023–24 Grant — UNT Cornerstone Grant Co-Investigator (with Annette Becker)
2022 Grant --UNT Special Collections Coursework Development Grant
2024–25 Fellowship--Special Collections Research Fellowship, UNT Libraries
2023–24 Grant — UNT Cornerstone Grant Co-Investigator (with Annette Becker)
2022 Grant --UNT Special Collections Coursework Development Grant
CERTIFICATES & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2026 Generative AI Institute for Teaching (GAIT) — in progress
2025 Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Online (CETO)
2024 Open Course Author Institute (OCAI)
2026 Generative AI Institute for Teaching (GAIT) — in progress
2025 Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Online (CETO)
2024 Open Course Author Institute (OCAI)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Digital Fabrication: Epilog Helix, Zing & Fusion laser cutters; SLA and resin 3D printing
Other: Art handling and exhibition installation; public speaking, tours, bookmaking + zine and pop up workshops, and docent/outreach programming
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Digital Fabrication: Epilog Helix, Zing & Fusion laser cutters; SLA and resin 3D printing
Other: Art handling and exhibition installation; public speaking, tours, bookmaking + zine and pop up workshops, and docent/outreach programming
PRESS
2026 "Review: You Are Here at the Golden Triangle Mall, Denton." Glasstire
"UNT alumni and student artists create an exhibit you can play with (and on) at the Denton mall."
Denton Record-Chronicle
2024 "Dallas Fashion History in the Archives." SMU News (Peterson & Graybill)
2022 150 Years / 150 Artists — TCU Sesquicentennial Exhibition Publication (curated by Sara-Jayne
Parsons)
2026 "Review: You Are Here at the Golden Triangle Mall, Denton." Glasstire
"UNT alumni and student artists create an exhibit you can play with (and on) at the Denton mall."
Denton Record-Chronicle
2024 "Dallas Fashion History in the Archives." SMU News (Peterson & Graybill)
2022 150 Years / 150 Artists — TCU Sesquicentennial Exhibition Publication (curated by Sara-Jayne
Parsons)