Vivien Russe
South Portland, Maine
Born in Seattle, Vivien Russe (b. 1945) spent her childhood in Cleveland, Ohio. At an early age, frequent family outings to the Cleveland Museum of Art gave her exposure to significant works of art, including an extensive Asian art collection, for which the museum is known. The simplicity of form and pattern, the shallow narrative spaces, and the attention to the details of human life and nature shaped her visual understanding.
Torn between her love of the visual arts and the sciences, she chose a liberal arts education at Radcliffe College. Though the art history program was exceptional and formative, studio art was mostly confined to aspects of design. After graduating and recognizing a compelling interest in studio art, she went on to the Boston School of the Museum of Fine Arts, graduating with a degree in printmaking.
Russe then moved to an island in Casco Bay near Portland, Maine. With no access to a printing press, she developed her painting skills — mainly landscapes — inspired by the location. Ten years later, moving back to the mainland, she found a vibrant community of artists, an experience that had a major influence on her development.
Feeling confined by landscape painting, Russe went into a period of intense experimentation. Though turbulent, this experience helped her find imagery and a voice that more closely expressed her unique vision.
In 1991, Russe was awarded the Bingham Prize to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, which helped facilitate this growth. Though primarily a painter, she became President of Peregrine Press, allowing her to return to her earlier interest in printmaking. 2012-14 was her first experience working on a collaborative installation, ‘Ant Farm, The Nexus of Art and Science’, that was exhibited extensively throughout New England.
Russe has shown work throughout Maine and the United States. Her work is in many private collections, locally and overseas. She has been represented by Frost Gully Gallery, June Fitzpatrick Gallery and Aucocisco Gallery. She is currently represented by Sarah Bouchard Gallery. Russe lives and works in South Portland, Maine.
Selected Works
![Cladonia
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic on panel
2023 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/bb71d1f2-f0dc-4b39-8e2d-5afc554e45bb/VivienRusse_Cladonia.jpg)
Cladonia
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic on panel
2023 [Recent Work]
![Dispersed #2 (Diptych)
14 x 14 inches each
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2022 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/73c05450-c5de-484d-9e95-84028615310d/Dispersed-%232.jpg)
Dispersed #2 (Diptych)
14 x 14 inches each
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2022 [Recent Work]
![Hold
14 x 14 inches
Acrylic on panel
2023 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/6e17f447-2669-4469-984c-4d3a9e35e38f/VivienRusse_Hold.jpg)
Hold
14 x 14 inches
Acrylic on panel
2023 [Recent Work]
![Evergreen #1
14 x 14 inches
Acrylic on panel
2022 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/c9ba6be2-84db-41c3-8f0b-c50b8a2222ee/Evergreen-%231-Topaz-Gigapixel-2x-scale.jpg){kind=tracking}
Evergreen #1
14 x 14 inches
Acrylic on panel
2022 [Recent Work]
![In Memory Of
12 x 12 inches
Acrylic on panel
2024 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/91323571-430a-4832-b2e5-bc8d4200dce8/VivienRusse_In-Memory-Of.jpg)
In Memory Of
12 x 12 inches
Acrylic on panel
2024 [Recent Work]
![Flock with Black Masks
15 x 16 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/98212d68-4c2f-42a6-af5b-ede0ead91f42/VivienRusse_Flock-with-Black-Masks-15-x-16-in.%2C-acrylic-on-panel.jpg)
Flock with Black Masks
15 x 16 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]
![Flying Up
16 x 15 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/19dd8f0d-3f86-4e2d-bd48-ed3fd002158a/VivienRusse_Flying-Up%2C-16-in.x-15in.%2C-acrylic-on-panel.jpg)
Flying Up
16 x 15 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]
![Scarborough Beach II
15 x 15 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/8ff8ca84-5143-402e-a9d8-ebf79ca7e8b7/VivienRusse_Scarborough-Beach-II-%2C-15in.-x-15in.-acrylic-on-panel.jpg)
Scarborough Beach II
15 x 15 inches
Acrylic on panel
2011 [Earlier Work]
![Wheat Haiku #5
15 x 16 inches
Acrylic on panel
2000 [Earlier Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/637315aa-8bc5-43c6-b23f-50ead898acf2/VivienRusse_Wheat-Haiku-%235--15-x-16-in.jpg)
Wheat Haiku #5
15 x 16 inches
Acrylic on panel
2000 [Earlier Work]
![Wheat Haiku #3 (Diptych)
12 x 12 inches each
Acrylic on panel
2000 [Earlier Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/049b7989-fa14-4c01-8f7f-b071c598a090/VivienRusse_Wheat-Haiku-%233-diptych-12-x-12-in-ea.-acrylic-on-panel-2000.jpg)
Wheat Haiku #3 (Diptych)
12 x 12 inches each
Acrylic on panel
2000 [Earlier Work]
![Lichen
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2020 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/a3925351-4a67-4f03-8c4d-7dc4787ab01a/VivienRusse_Lichen.jpg)
Lichen
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2020 [Recent Work]
![Mound
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2020 [Recent Work]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69df952ced2431242d7919b8/cc263fbf-2c0c-466a-a6e4-78e62a491a00/VivienRusse_Mound.jpg)
Mound
10 x 10 inches
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel
2020 [Recent Work]
exhibits
-
Networks
Vivien Russe
June 29 – August 4, 2024 [link:/networks]
Artist Statement
The climate crisis and the damaging effects of human activity on the natural world — our planet — are at the root of my recent body of work. The ideas grew out of two very different trips, one to Acadia National Park in 2018 and the other to view Renaissance paintings in Italy in 2019. While a non-believer, I have always felt the power and beauty of art inspired by religion of all kinds. These works can represent some of our highest aspirations for finding meaning. At the same time, the natural beauty of Acadia was still fresh in my mind. In the Renaissance works in Italy, most of what was depicted as divine was of human form. Trying to address how our human needs are increasingly in conflict with the natural world, I wanted to flip this equation, and put nature in a divine space, giving it more weight. Why is lichen less holy than St. Peter??
Since starting this work, the increased environmental degradation from political divisions, capitalism, population displacement, and war has been deeply discouraging. The need to recognize the interconnection of all life is more critical than ever. There are lessons to be learned from many non-Western cultures and religions. Science is teaching us that the natural world is more interrelated than we’ve previously understood. For example, the ways fungal networks affect the life of plants and trees and have a unique role in regeneration. Technology is changing life on Earth in ways impossible to grasp. The outcome is unknown, but it’s clear, all the players are fighting for survival. These paintings are a reflection on this drama.
CV
Born: Seattle, WA | 1945
Resides: South Portland, ME
-
1995
Vinalhaven Press, Printmaking Workshop1991
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture1976
School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts – Diploma Program1967
B.A. Radcliffe College -
2024
Networks, Sarah Bouchard Gallery, Woolwich, ME2023
A tribute to June Fitzpatrick, Maine Jewish Museum, Portland, ME2007
Reflections, Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, ME2005
Rinsed, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Congress Street, Portland, ME2002
The Renunciation Series, June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA, Portland, ME2000
Millennium Haiku, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME1999
Vivien Russe, New Work, Unity College Art Gallery, Unity, ME1998
Relative Values, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME1997
Nature and Icons, UMF Art Gallery, Farmington, ME1996
Covers, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME1995
Focus Changing, Executive Gallery, Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, ME1994
Rotations, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME -
2022
You Take the Cake, Sarah Bouchard Gallery, Woolwich, ME2019
Harvesting the Image, Wishcamper Center, USM Portland, ME2018
Art in Maine, Robie Andrew Hall, USM, Gorham, ME
Ant Farm at the Nexus of Art and Science, St Marks School, Southborough, MA2017
Vivien Russe and Mary Hart, AVA Gallery, Lebanon, NH2016
Art of the Hand-Pulled Print: Peregrine Press at 25, Portland Public Library, Lewis Gallery, Portland, ME2015
Ant Farm at the Nexus of Art and Science, UNE Art Gallery, Ketchum Library, University of New England, Biddeford, ME2014
Ant Farm at the Nexus of Art and Science, Atrium Art Gallery, Lewiston-Auburn, ME
Recent Acquisitions and Selections from the Permanent Collection, UNE Art Gallery, Portland, ME2013
Spectrum: Mary Hart and Vivien Russe, Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, ME2012
Land, Sea, and Sky: Contemporary Art in Maine, Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA2011
Shift, Vivien Russe and Mary Hart, Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, ME2007
140 George Marshall Store Galley, York, ME2006
Maine Printmakers 1980-2005, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME2005
Water, Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Rockport, ME
The August Show, The Coppershed Gallery, Warren, ME2004
Group Show, The Coppershed Gallery, Warren, ME2000
Peregrine Press Group Show, Greenhut Gallery, Portland, ME1999
Accord III, Old Historical Society, George Marshall Store Gallery, York, ME1999
Seeing Money, Portland Old Town Arts and Cultural Foundation, Portland, OR1998
Annual Juried Exhibition Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, ME, and The Barn Gallery, Ogunquit, ME
June Fitzpatrick, New York Exhibit, New York, NY
Hearts on Fire, curated by Rosemary Frick, Robert Clements Gallery, Portland, ME1997
Accord II, Old Historical Society, George Marshall Store Gallery, York, ME
The Juried Show: Maine Debuts Since 1979, Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, ME
The First Group Show for Gallery Artists, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME1987-1997
A Skowhegan Decade, David Beitzel Gallery, New York, NY1996
Skowhegan at 50: The Maine Legacy Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, ME, and Maine College of Art, Baxter Gallery, Portland, ME1995
Plethora of Prints, Maine Coast Artists, Rockport, ME1995
Summer’s End, Frick Gallery, Belfast, ME1995
Maine Abstract Art 1995, Danforth Gallery, Portland, ME1994
Selected Prints from Peregrine Press, Cry of the Loon Gallery, South Casco, ME1993
Use of Pink in Art, curated by Mary Hart, UMVA Gallery, Brunswick, ME
Paint, curated by Nicols Fox, UMVA show at Ellsworth Library and The University of Maine Augusta, ME
Group Show, ICON Gallery, Brunswick, ME -
2014
The Ant Farm project awarded the Artists in Communities Grant from the Maine Arts Commission1991
Bingham Painting Fellowship, Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture -
1995
Painted Banner, Maine Festival, Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick, ME -
2014
“Ants and art: An alluring alliance at the Atrium,” Jim Thatcher, Sun Journal, May 5
“Born from science and nature come The Ant Girls,” Bob Keyes, Maine Sunday Telegram, April 27
“Keep your hands dirty, Ant Girls dig up monolithic statement,” Nick Shroeder, The Portland Phoenix, April 232012
“Marin and New Maine Art @ The Addison,” Edgar Allen Beem, YankeeMagazine.com, posted January 42008
“43 Maine Artists,” The Art Issue, Maine Home Design, April2005
“June Fitzpatrick Gallery at MECA/ Portland ME, Rinsed: New Paintings by Vivien Russe,” Carl Little, Art New England, August/September2000
“June Fitzpatrick Gallery/ Portland, Vivien Russe: Millennium Haiku,” Shirely Jacks, Art New England, August/ September1998
“Money’s the root of Russe’s collages and therein lies the satire,” Philip Isaacson, Maine Sunday Telegram, June 71997
“Artist Vivien Russe works with quilts, covers and colors,” Anne Geller, Franklin Journal, February 2
“A ‘Capitol’ Show, ‘Skowhegan at 50’ in Augusta honors Maine’s premier art school,” Lynn Ascrizzi, Sunday Sentinel, February 16
“First group show connects Fitzpatrick’s roster of gallery artists,” Philip Isaacson, Maine Sunday Telegram, February 231995
“Festival’s picture is really a big painting,” Amy Sutherland, Portland Press Herald, August 2
“Vision, decision loom large in Maine artists’ abstractions,” Philip Isaacson, Maine Sunday Telegram, April 23
“Process and Progress; Maine Coast Artists show track two,” Philip Isaacson, Maine Sunday Telegram, March 121994
“Peregrine Press puts together a fine print show the volunteer way,” Ken Greenleaf, Portland Press Herald, April 28
“Cry of the Loon Art Gallery, South Casco, Selected Prints from Peregrine Press,” Barbara Sullivan, Art New England, Aug./Sept1993
“Artists answer museum’s call for ornaments,” Amy Killinger, Portland Press Herald, Dec. 2
“Much to Ponder in Paint,” Laurie Schreiber, Bar Harbor Times, May 131990
“Frost Gully Gallery, Portland Autumn Group Show,” Pat Davidson Reef, Art New England, November1989
“A Different kind of landmark,” Philip Isaacson, Maine Sunday Telegram, June 18
“It’s what you don’t see that makes the difference,” Edgar Allen Beem, Maine Times, June 9
Press
Inquire
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