Chelsea Wrightson (1986) is an Albuquerque, NM based multimedia artist and mother whose practice includes painting, drawing, sculpture and ceramics. Wrightson is fascinated by the physics of vision and its intersection with consciousness. She creates compositions that combine imagery from her vivid dreams and meditations. Her work moves towards symmetry and balance yet she celebrates imperfection because she sees it as a portal; without it, she would have no cause to continue dreaming. Putting a contemporary perspective on transcendentalism, Wrightson is inspired by artists Emma Kunz, Hilma af Klint and Agnes Pelton. Wrightson has exhibited nationally in Albuquerque, Taos, NM, Seattle, WA and New York, NY. Her work has been written about in Southwest Contemporary and the Albuquerque Journal.
In recent bodies of work she explores the dynamism of expansion through experience - in body, emotions, mind, and soul. At the most microscopic level humans are atoms comprised mostly of empty space. Like a new star bursting forth with energy in the vast universe, she creates portals to fill these empty spaces with abundant joy, gratitude, care and connection.
selected exhibitions
2024 ArtsThrive Art Exhibition and Benefit, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM, March 16 - April 14
2023 Taos Abstract Artist Community Exhibition, Stables Gallery, Taos, NM, October 13 - October 21
2022 Another World, Richard Levy Gallery, Albuquerque, NM, January 19 - February 25
Taos Abstract Artist Community Inaugural Exhibition, Stables Gallery, Taos, NM, September 2-10
2021 Transcendental States, curated by Adam Liam Rose, Project Gallery V, New York, NY, September 15 - October 15
AFTERIMAGE, curated by Alex Paik, MAAKE Magazine
2020 Altars of Imperfection / Quarantine Visions, Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM (solo exhibition)
No Longer and Not Yet, Das Schaufenster Gallery, Seattle, WA
2019 PRELUDE, Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM
Holiday Showcase, Relic, Albuquerque, NM
Chelsea wrightson and Kate Samuels, Relic, Albuquerque, NM
2018 one night stand, Euridice Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2016 Anonymass, Small Engine Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
Follicle, Graft Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
Untitled, Richard levy gallery, Albuquerque, NM
25th anniversary exhibition, Richard levy gallery, Albuquerque
2014 Ikebana, 5g gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2013 I wear black light on the outside, Small Engine Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
2012 sans sheriff: a collection of lawless typography, Tan Gallery, Albuquerque, NM
vulgar remedies, works on paper, Tan gallery, Albuquerque, NM
selected publications
2022 Nancy Zastudil, Transcendental Painting Lives on in New Mexico and Beyond, Hyperallergic, February 8
2021 Flights of Fancy, Southwest Contemporary, vol.2, summer
Transcendental States Interview, October 9
2020 Kathaleen Roberts, Powerful Transformations: Chelsea Wrightson gives new purpose to plastic waste, reimagining it as molds for artistry, Albuquerque Journal, September 6
Altars of Imperfection / Quarantine Visions, Harwood Art Center, Exhibition Catalog
2011 Cover Artwork, Best Student Essays, University of New Mexico Nonfiction Review