Stephen Grossman

Artist Statement

The art I make is concerned with the human body’s experience of constructed environments. I explore how we use the primary senses and more pointedly the subconscious in reaction to conditions such as enclosure, proximity, and precipice. I focus on constructed spaces because they represent a prior human endeavor; its intent, culture and philosophy. When a person moves through or occupies a built environment they partake in a form of dialog with history, which introduces a cerebral layer to the otherwise visceral experience. Each individual processes an environment through their own unique filters – physiology, psychology, memory and personal history. The individual is alone, even isolated in their consciousness while bound to history, to society through the commonality of these lived experiences. I think this duality in human consciousness is at the root of our existential dilemma – we are solitary and social beings.

Stephen_Grossman_The sounds in my head and in the air_plaster_2023_ 19" x 32" x 2"

Bio

Stephen Grossman is a visual artist working primarily in sculpture, drawing and painting in New Haven, CT. He was trained as an architect and received his BArch from The Cooper Union. His work focuses on the movement of the human body in relationship to architectural space. He has been exhibited at The Drawing Center, Aldrich Museum, Real Art Ways, Artspace New Haven, New York Studio School Dumbo Sculpture Studio, Weir Farm Trust Gallery, Schweinfurth Art Center, Mt Ida College, Giampietro Gallery, Kenise Barnes Fine Arts, Garage Gallery, Ejecta Projects and other venues. In 2023 he was an artist in residence as a fellow at the Ballinglen Foundation in Ballycastle, Ireland. In 2020 he was an artist in residence at Streamways in Rockingham, VT. In 2006 he was a visiting artist at the Weir Farm Historic Trust. In 2002 he received an NEA grant for his public art project “Fencing”. He has taught visual arts at UNH and SCSU. In addition, he has curated exhibitions at the (untitled)Space gallery in New Haven including a Sol LeWitt wall drawing installation in 2001. He served on the board of Artspace New Haven from 2002 to 2009, (as president from 2004 to 2007).