Through artisanal means, ‘cured bodies’ pulls apart and repurposes artists' work wear. Work shirt threads coalesce into meaty appendages that embody strong and lively past endeavors. Embedded with unique sweat equity and creative laboring, a collective portrait of suspended effort has arrived.  Makeshift displays of meat curing in shop window, dangling from dowel rods in suburban basements, or strung up in curlicues on industrial racks, set the material stage for metaphors about the body at work and at rest, about aspiration, desire, futility and transformation over time.

*Curing relieves symptoms of disease and reduces pain. Curing eliminates injury. Curing preserves, purifies and protects. Curing requires time and produces a fundamental change in the nature of a thing.





fare well, 2020, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX   July, 2020

Naked in Fur, University of Texas at Dallas, August 14th- September 24th, 2020

Time tablets: Casual Friday, Hydrocal, charcoal, pennies, shirt fragment, USB cord, 18”x14”x1.5”

Time Tablets: in god we trust, 2020, oxidized pennies, shirt fragments, charred rainbow chard, 18”x14”x1.5”

Time Tablets: retirement fund, 2020, oxidized pennies, deconstructed painters suit, modified work shirt, 18”x14”x1.5”

Time Tablets: our daily bread ties (for L.Owen), 2020, portland cement, shirt fragments, bread ties, 18”x14”x1.5”

fundamental sameness, manufactured difference, 2019, copper pipe, solder, copper teapots, burners, custom tea blend (tobacco, green tea, chamomile, local grasses)

NEWS 

Artist in Residence: NARS Foundation Spring II, Brooklyn, NY
Art Papers review, Barbara Purcell
Glasstire, Collette Copeland and cured bodies at Artpace in San Antonio
Glasstire review, Women’s Work: After Carolee, Tender and Fierce, Lauren Moya Ford

Kristen Cochran
From Portland, OR, Lives and works in Dallas, TX 
kristencochran.com

EDUCATION
MFA - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
BFA - Interdisciplinary Studio, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
BA - English (Creative writing), University of Washington, Seattle, WA

SOLO & TWO PERSON EXHBITIONS 

2021
After Carolee: Tender and Fierce, Artpace, San Antonio, TX (curator: Annette DiMeo Carlozzi)

2020
• fare well, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX (Nasher Windows Projects, curator: Catherine Craft)

2019
• Chroma Soma: Photographs and Sculpture, Barry Whistler Gallery, Dallas, TX
• GOALS, Robert and Elaine Stein Gallery, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

2017    
Architectures of Aspiration (r.i.p.),  Liliana Bloch Gallery, Dallas, TX

2016    
• Perfect Sunset (there’s nothing sad about it), Front Space Gallery, Kansas City, MO
• Surfacing, two person exhibition, HF Johnson Gallery, Carthage College, Milwaukee, WI

2015    
soak stain bleed bloom, The Pollock Gallery, Southern Methodist University (curator Noah Simblist),
Dallas, TX

2014
Residual acts, Amazon Storefronts (supported by The Shunpike Foundation), Seattle, WA

2013
• Declared Impasse (two person show with Lucia Simek), The Dallas Contemporary Museum, Dallas, TX (curator Lilia Kudelia)
• stutter slip stack, REgallery, Dallas, TX

2012
Light Work, sponsored by Oak Cliff Community Arts, Dallas, TX

2010
• Brick by Brick, The Free Museum of Dallas, (curator Michael Corris), Dallas, TX
• Undercover, UTD Central Trak Gallery (corridor), Dallas, TX

SELECTED GROUP EXHBITIONS

2021
• After Carolee: Tender and Fierce, Artpace, San Antonio, TX (curator: Annette Carlozzi)
• Yet to be Titled (group show), Nars Foundation Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2020

• Naked in fur, SP/N Gallery, University of Texas at Dallas, Aug-Sept, 2020
• wfh, Galler 12.26, Dallas, TX
• Continuum, Carillon Gallery, Fort Worth, TX upcoming (curator Katerina Sokolovskaya)

2019
Intermediate, The Fort Worth Modern Art Museum, film screening, Fort Worth, TX
Tenuous (three person show), Cliff Gallery, Dallas, TX
The Big Summer T-Shirt Show, ex-ovo, Dallas, TX
Material Intension (three person show), ex-ovo, Dallas, TX (curator Alison Klion)
The Sandwich Show (pop up), New York Subs, Dallas, TX

2018
Fold In, with Katy Heinlen and Marcelyn McNeil, Lawndale Arts Center, Houston, TX
Holding Pattern Vol. 2, publication as site, (supported by DADE collective), Dallas, TX

2017
Holding Pattern Vol. 1, publication as site  (supported by DADE collective), Dallas, TX
Interstate, Beefhaus, Dallas, TX (curators Luke Harnden and Paul Winker)
The LINE, Site 131, Dallas, TX, (curators Joan Davidow and Pablo Sebastian Morales)

2016
I Have This Thing: An Exercise in Extension (with Kelly Kroener & Lucy Kirkman), Lillian Bradshaw Gallery,
Dallas, TX
Drawing Quote/Unquote, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX

2015
AMoA Sculpture Biennial, Amarillo, TX, (curator Leigh Arnold) *second place prize winner
And they papered the walls, Liliana Bloch Gallery, Dallas, TX

2014
(in)translation, University of Arizona, Lionel Rombach Gallery, Tucson, AZ
SEARCH RESULTS, A Slender Gamut, Brooklyn, NY (curator Olivia Smith)

2013
Texas Biennial 2013, San Antonio, TX
Amarillo Entropy, The Power Station, Dallas, TX (curator Greg Ruppe)
Pleased to Meet Me, Talley Dunn Gallery, Dallas, TX

2012
SNAFU, Oliver Francis Gallery, (curator Kevin Ruben Jacobs)
Monstrous Coupling (collaboration with Kevin Todora), University of Texas at Dallas, TX
Fallas Dart Air, Shamrock Studios, Dallas, TX (curator Ludwig Schwarz)

2011
TEXAS Biennial 2011, Austin, TX, (curator Virginia Rutledge)

2010 Indignation, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX (curator Dr. Charissa Terranova)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2020
Teaching Artist: Writing to Look Program, FOCUS: Hrair Sarkissian, MAMFW, Fort Worth, TX
Lecturer: Art Appreciation, Dallas College, Spring 2020

2019
Visiting Professor of Sculpture, (sabbatical replacement for Cam Schoepp), TCU, Fort Worth, TX
(Instructor of record: 3D Design, Sculpture I, Advanced Sculpture, Graduate Critique Seminar, Graduate
studio hours, Graduate Professional Practice Seminar,  Graduate Committees)

2018
Lecturer, Drawing Foundations  and Advanced Drawing, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Lecturer, Sculpture I, Advanced Drawing, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2017
Lecturer, Advanced Drawing, Sculpture I, Drawing I, University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX

2016
Lecturer, Advanced Drawing, Sculpture I, Drawing I, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2015
Lecturer,  Advanced Drawing, Sculpture I, Drawing I, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2014
Lecturer,  Advanced Drawing, Sculpture I, Drawing I, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2013
Lecturer,  Advanced Drawing, Sculpture I, Drawing I, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2012
Lecturer, Foundations Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, Sculpture I, University of Texas at Dallas,
Richardson, TX (Fall/Spring)

2011
Lecturer, Foundations (2D design and digital co taught with Noah Simblist), Southern Methodist
Univeristy, Dallas, TX
Lecturer, Introduction to Sculpture, Univeristy of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

2010
Lecturer, Introduction to Drawing, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX (Fall)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2020
Contributor: Art This Week
Teaching Artist, Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX (Teen Program, Hrair Sarkissian) Visiting Artist Lecture, Southern Methodist University Sculpture, Dallas, TXImage - Text collaboration with Paul Winker: Kristen Cochran XX XX / Paul Winker XII (publication)

2019
Teaching Artist, Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX (Jr. High Art Camp, Robyn O’Neill)
Organizer and Moderator: “About Public Art”,  Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX (with Tamara Johnson and Trey Burns of Sweet Pass Sculpture Park, Dallas, TX)

2018
Gallery Educator, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX

2017
Artist in Residence, Center for Art & Medicine, Baylor Hospital, Sammons Center for Cancer Research,
Dallas, TX (summer 2016 - 2017)
Gallery Educator, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
Teaching Artist, 125 years of works on paper, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX

2016
Gallery Educator, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
Teaching Artist (summer teen institute), The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
Contributing Writer, Dallas Observer: Two Ecosystems in Piero Golia’s Chalet Dallas, February, 2016

2015 
Gallery educator, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
Teaching Artist, The DMA, Center for Creative Connections, Dallas, TX
Contributing Writer, Arts & Culture Texas: Room For Failure, The Rough Hospitality of Phyllida Barlow, August 2015 Teaching Artist, Summer Art Camp, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX
Artist, The Great Create, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX

2014
Visiting artist, Texas A&M Commerce, (Fall)
Contributing writer, Eutopia Contemporary Art Reviews, eutopia.us
Contributing writer, Glasstire Texas, Romp, Stomp and Monster Trucks Deep Ellum Windows, May 2014
Teaching artist, Gallery & Studio Connections, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX
Teaching artist, Teen Week Art Camp, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX
Visiting Artist, Eastfield College, Dallas, TX, (Spring)
Artist-Instructor, The Big Drawing Class, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, TX  

AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, RESIDENCIES

2020
NARS Foundation International Arts Residency, Brooklyn, New York

2017
Artist in Residence, The Center for Art & Medicine, Sammons Cancer Research Center, Baylor Hospital,
Dallas, TX

2013
Jentel, Banner Wyoming, May-June 2013

2010
Juvenal Reis Studio Residency (grant funded residency), New York, NY
Free Museum of Dallas, Exhibition Grant, The Free Museum of Dallas, Dallas, TX

2009
Jones Fund project grant, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Rigsby Fund Travel Grant, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Les-Subsistances International Arts Festival, artist-in-residence, Lyon, FR

2008
The Meadows School of the Arts, Graduate Fellowship, SMU, Dallas, TX
Visual Arts Teaching Assistantship, The Meadows School of the Arts, SMU, Dallas, TX

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2019
Pockets of Meaning: Dallas artist fascinated with stain-laden work clothes, by Danielle Avram, Dallas
Morning News, Oct. 3, 2019
Stein Gallery explores themes of daily work, Bob Mihalek, WSU News, August 28, 2019
Texas Studio: Kristen Cochran, Arts and Culture Texas, April 29, 2019
A Material Intension in Trinity Groves: Ex Ovo, by William Sarradet, Glasstire,  April 22, 2019

2018
Glasstire Top 5 for Fold In at Lawndale Arts Center in Houston, TX
The Dallas Observer for Interstate at Beefhaus, Dallas, TX by Danielle Avram

2017
Holding Pattern, A curated publication of works funded by female-identifying artists
Valediction in White, Informality Art and Culture Blog KCMO, Emily Cox, January 17, 2017
Lucia’s choice: New Collection at The Adolphus Hotel, PaperCity, April 2017

2016
Glasstire, Top 5: I Have This Thing: An exercise in Extension with Kelly Kroener, Kristen Cochran and Lucy Kirkman Allen, Christina Rees, May 5, 2016.
Surfacing, exhibition catalog and essay by curator Christopher Willey, published by HF Johnson Gallery

2015
Talking ‘soak stain bleed bloom’ with Kristen Cochran, interview with Danielle Avram, Meadows School
of the Arts, January 28th, 2015
Meadows School of the Arts New and Events press release, soak stain bleed bloom, January 2018
Eutopia Contemporary Art review, soak stain bleed bloom at The Pollock Gallery, by Ryder Richards

2013
Semigloss., Volume I, Issue III: FAILURE curated by Sally Glass and Bradly Brown
Pleased to Meet Me: Six Artists Circling Around A Search for Self, The Dallas Observer, July 10, 2013,
Peter Simek.
SMU Meadows School of the Arts: Dallas Contemporary Features two Meadows Artists, Nov. 4, 2013
Talley Dunn: Six Bold Artists, The Dallas Morning News, July 16, 2013, Michael Granbury.
Georg Herold, Kevin Todora, Lucia Simek and Kristen Cochran at The Dallas Contemporary,
moderndallas.net, Fall 2013, Todd Camplin.
stutter slip stack (exhibition review), Arts + Culture Magazine Texas, Andy Amato, May 16, 2013.

2012
Merkin-Clad Commies want to sell you Art, Maybe Lasagna, The Dallas Observer, Brentley Hamilton,
April 13, 2012.

2011
Temporary Occupants, Arts+ Culture Magazine Texas, Terranova, Charissa, May, 2011.

2010
Brick by Brick, for The Dallas Observer, Martin, Aja, December 2010.
Front Row, A Daily Review of the Dallas Arts, “Two Notable Dallas Art Openings: Tasteful, a Happening”,
Peter Simek, Dec 3, 2010.
Front Row, A Daily Review of the Dallas Arts, “SMU Artist/Professor Launches the Free Museum of Dallas…”, Peter Simek, April 21, 2010.
        

REFERENCES

Cam Schoepp, Professor of Art, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, c.schoepp@tcu.edu | 817-257-6701

Greg Metz , Artist, Senior Lecturer and Gallery Facilitator at The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX. glmetz@utdallas.edu | 9728832774

Anna Smith , Curator of Education, The Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas, TX. asmith@nashersculpturecenter.org | 214.242.5184

Noah Simblist, Chairperson:  Painting and Printmaking department, VCU School of The Arts, nsimblist@vcu.edu 

email: kristenoelle@gmail.com
phone: 206.353.5332
IG: @cathedrals_of_jelly



Statement  
The implications of effort, one’s motives behind making a living what it means to be on the clock and the refusal to rest in our current cultural climate are topics that have materialized in meditative copper clock ‘fountains’, post apocalyptic bake shop displays, suspended shirt-seam schematics, monolithic pocket prints and unkempt sports goals made of used T-shirt collars.

My studio practice depends upon collecting, deconstructing and repositioning found images and everyday objects for poetic and symbolic purposes to bring attention to the traces and residues of humans’ best efforts. Frayed shirt seams, pastel patinas from laundry mishaps, geologic layers of lint in pants pockets, or fingerprint ‘maps’ on copper plumbling playfully point to the tragi-comic nature of human handiwork and the passage of time. Socio-economic issues, workplace politics and the relationship between basic needs and transcendent desires are metaphorically embedded in the materials with which I work.


Bio
Kristen Cochran is an interdisciplinary artist living and working in Dallas, TX. Originally from Portland, OR, she moved to Texas to complete her MFA at The Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in 2010. She has exhibited her work locally, nationally and internationally and has been awarded residencies in Long Island City, NY, Mittersill, Austria, Banner, Wyoming and recently completed a year-long residency at The Center for Arts and Medicine at Baylor Hospital’s Sammons Center for Cancer Research. Kristen has taught extensively at universities and museums in the Dallas-Fort Worth area including The University of Texas, Dallas, The Nasher Sculpture Center and The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Recent exhibitions include chroma soma at Barry Whistler Gallery (Dallas, TX), Fold In at Lawndale Arts Center (Houston, TX), GOALS at the Stein Galleries (Wright State University, Dayton, OH) and Material Intension at ex ovo projects. She will participate in "After Carolee: Tender and Fierce" at Artpace, San Antonio in 2021 and is heading to Brooklyn, NY to participate in The NARS Foundation International Artist Residency.

Ms. Cochran’s recent work explores the pleasures, absurdities and banalities of daily labor (be it physical, mental or spiritual) and its symbolic implications. Her transdisciplinary work shape shifts in the forms of sculpture, drawing, video and installation and is often comprised of quotidian materials such as bread, clay, clothing, shirt pockets and copper plumbing—materials used as they relate to the gestures, needs and aspirations of human beings at work.