My Story
I was born in 1971 in Southern California. My father was a
funk band drummer, and we spent time on the road, touring
America. I remember living out of a Volkswagen on a beach
near a hotel. My father played at various clubs and hotels,
and once at Disneyland. I went underground in Disneyland
and was able to see the gears and motors that ran the rides
and attractions above ground. I helped set up his drum set,
and the band rose up out of the ground on a spinning stage.
Seeing these gears and mechanisms, I had a new
understanding about the relationship between the
constructed reality above (a fantasy for the other children),
and the actual reality (something only visible from below the
surface). I was 5 years old.
I received my Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from the
University of Notre Dame in May of 2004 and a Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing/ Blacksmithing from
Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in May of 2001. I
have spent the last three years teaching as an adjunct
instructor at both the University of Indianapolis and the
Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. I have worked as a
studio technician at the University of Notre Dame, University
of Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. I
am an active and exhibiting studio artist and maintain a
private studio in Indianapolis.
I have received numerous academic and research grants
both as a graduate student and independent scholar. As an
undergraduate, I was awarded the Rickert Ziebolt Trust
Award for artistic excellence. Following graduation I worked
as an independent artist for a year and spent much of this
time incorporating traditional metal techniques into my
sculpture. This was primarily influenced by my year working
in Austria under the contemporary artist Josef Deuring. As a
sculpture graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, I
continued to develop an understanding of issues specific to
the contemporary art world. In order to explore the
contemporary art world further and explore my interests in
European art, I continued to travel abroad. I spent a summer
studying under Hans Schreibner in Wismar, Germany in
2001, where our primary focus was on contemporary
installation and performance processes. I was fortunate to
receive both the Downes Travel Grant and Zahm Graduate
Research Award to fund activities and research both in
Europe and New York City. Spending time in Berlin, Zurich,
Vienna, Rome, Florence, Paris, Munich, Basel, and NYC has
affected my awareness of current directions in the
contemporary art world.
My graduate work culminated in a thesis exhibition entitled,
The Robert Kennicott Collection, which was shown at the
Snite Museum of Art. This body of work was a large
installation which involved my own art objects, and objects
from the permanent collection at the Snite Museum. My
travels around the country and within Europe contributed to
this series on Robert Kennicott, and theories on
contemporary art and it's relationship to museums, and
various institutional structures. It was at the opening of the
BFA/MFA thesis show that I was awarded ´Best in Show´, the
highest honor within the art department at the University of
Notre Dame. I was elated to be recognized for my work and
research by the art department and gratefully accepted the
Walter R. Beardsley Trust Award.
Following graduation, I have continued working as an
independent artist, showing my work regularly. As a graduate
teaching assistant, I discovered a desire to teach and to work
with art students, so much so, that I have continued working
within academia as an adjunct instructor. I have taught as an
adjunct at the University of Indianapolis for the past three
years, also teaching sculpture courses at the Herron School
of Art for part of this time. I have taught an array of courses,
such as Sophomore Sculpture, 3-D Foundations, 2-D
Foundations, Introduction to Drawing, Lunch & a Movie
(Experiencing Culture Through Film & Cuisine), and have
focused primarily on expanding and improving the Jewelry/
Metalsmithing area, since this is my primary interest, as well
as my most frequently taught course. As a graduate teaching
assistant, I also taught and had full control over both
Introduction to Wood Sculpture and Metal Sculpture. I feel
these courses have further developed and strengthened my
work as an instructor and professional artist.
In summer of 2006 I found myself working in the studio of
designer Ralf Ehlers and artist Stefan Szekessy in Münich,
Germany. I had the opportunity to further develop my work
and began moving in new directions utilizing photography
and installation. I was able to install a piece near Bernau
within the Black Forest and have continued an exploration of
installation practices. In addition I traveled throughout
Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, enjoying the
opportunity to visit the many galleries and museums, as well
as conducting research for my own work. I am always
inspired by the new developments within the contemporary
art world.
This past summer I involved myself in as much art
production as possible. I exhibited in a two person show at
Pivot Gallery, in Indianapolis, entitled “Time Bandits”. I also
exhibited at Dean Johnson Gallery, in Indianapolis. I currently
have work featured in a show entitled Farewell Exhibition at
the Pivot Gallery.
funk band drummer, and we spent time on the road, touring
America. I remember living out of a Volkswagen on a beach
near a hotel. My father played at various clubs and hotels,
and once at Disneyland. I went underground in Disneyland
and was able to see the gears and motors that ran the rides
and attractions above ground. I helped set up his drum set,
and the band rose up out of the ground on a spinning stage.
Seeing these gears and mechanisms, I had a new
understanding about the relationship between the
constructed reality above (a fantasy for the other children),
and the actual reality (something only visible from below the
surface). I was 5 years old.
I received my Master of Fine Arts degree in Sculpture from the
University of Notre Dame in May of 2004 and a Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree in Metalsmithing/ Blacksmithing from
Southern Illinois University- Carbondale in May of 2001. I
have spent the last three years teaching as an adjunct
instructor at both the University of Indianapolis and the
Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. I have worked as a
studio technician at the University of Notre Dame, University
of Indianapolis, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. I
am an active and exhibiting studio artist and maintain a
private studio in Indianapolis.
I have received numerous academic and research grants
both as a graduate student and independent scholar. As an
undergraduate, I was awarded the Rickert Ziebolt Trust
Award for artistic excellence. Following graduation I worked
as an independent artist for a year and spent much of this
time incorporating traditional metal techniques into my
sculpture. This was primarily influenced by my year working
in Austria under the contemporary artist Josef Deuring. As a
sculpture graduate student at the University of Notre Dame, I
continued to develop an understanding of issues specific to
the contemporary art world. In order to explore the
contemporary art world further and explore my interests in
European art, I continued to travel abroad. I spent a summer
studying under Hans Schreibner in Wismar, Germany in
2001, where our primary focus was on contemporary
installation and performance processes. I was fortunate to
receive both the Downes Travel Grant and Zahm Graduate
Research Award to fund activities and research both in
Europe and New York City. Spending time in Berlin, Zurich,
Vienna, Rome, Florence, Paris, Munich, Basel, and NYC has
affected my awareness of current directions in the
contemporary art world.
My graduate work culminated in a thesis exhibition entitled,
The Robert Kennicott Collection, which was shown at the
Snite Museum of Art. This body of work was a large
installation which involved my own art objects, and objects
from the permanent collection at the Snite Museum. My
travels around the country and within Europe contributed to
this series on Robert Kennicott, and theories on
contemporary art and it's relationship to museums, and
various institutional structures. It was at the opening of the
BFA/MFA thesis show that I was awarded ´Best in Show´, the
highest honor within the art department at the University of
Notre Dame. I was elated to be recognized for my work and
research by the art department and gratefully accepted the
Walter R. Beardsley Trust Award.
Following graduation, I have continued working as an
independent artist, showing my work regularly. As a graduate
teaching assistant, I discovered a desire to teach and to work
with art students, so much so, that I have continued working
within academia as an adjunct instructor. I have taught as an
adjunct at the University of Indianapolis for the past three
years, also teaching sculpture courses at the Herron School
of Art for part of this time. I have taught an array of courses,
such as Sophomore Sculpture, 3-D Foundations, 2-D
Foundations, Introduction to Drawing, Lunch & a Movie
(Experiencing Culture Through Film & Cuisine), and have
focused primarily on expanding and improving the Jewelry/
Metalsmithing area, since this is my primary interest, as well
as my most frequently taught course. As a graduate teaching
assistant, I also taught and had full control over both
Introduction to Wood Sculpture and Metal Sculpture. I feel
these courses have further developed and strengthened my
work as an instructor and professional artist.
In summer of 2006 I found myself working in the studio of
designer Ralf Ehlers and artist Stefan Szekessy in Münich,
Germany. I had the opportunity to further develop my work
and began moving in new directions utilizing photography
and installation. I was able to install a piece near Bernau
within the Black Forest and have continued an exploration of
installation practices. In addition I traveled throughout
Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, enjoying the
opportunity to visit the many galleries and museums, as well
as conducting research for my own work. I am always
inspired by the new developments within the contemporary
art world.
This past summer I involved myself in as much art
production as possible. I exhibited in a two person show at
Pivot Gallery, in Indianapolis, entitled “Time Bandits”. I also
exhibited at Dean Johnson Gallery, in Indianapolis. I currently
have work featured in a show entitled Farewell Exhibition at
the Pivot Gallery.
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Paul Siebenthal