University of Indianapolis Art & Design Faculty/Staff

Background

Nathan has been curious about materials and making for the majority of his life. Through his curiosity of how things are made, he strives to be a lifelong learner. Nathan has exhibited his sculptural installation, Flight of Obscurity, regionally and nationally since 2014. He has been recognized for his work and received numerous awards for his research including receiving the best of show award, "Going Solo", from the Foundry Art Centre, being recognized for an Ohio Arts Council Artist grant, and being long listed in the international Aestetica Art Prize where the top 100 artists out of 3500 entries had their work published in their "Future Now" publication.

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Research Interests

Growing up in a family of pilots, Nathan was exposed to the awe-inspiring mysteries of flight at an early age.  As an adolescent, his introduction to aviation developed into a deep respect and love for the field.  Countless hours were spent building model airplanes and talking about aircraft with his father, a certified aviation mechanic and instructor, whose passion propelled his curiosity.  Their conversations resulted in his insatiable desire to create forms with his own hands that brought his interest in aviation to light utilizing construction techniques and processes (such as riveting and sheet metal fabrication) that have been used throughout aviation history.

Nathan communicates concepts rooted in aviation history through a visual language that references both travel and warfare by hand fabricating dynamic and iconic forms of flight. These sculptures consist of cones that are integrated with spires and held together under tension, supported by utilitarian containers (crates). This fragile relationship of forms exposes the delicate balance between grace and imminent danger, similar to the fleeting ballet of courting birds or the hostility felt between foes engaged in a dogfight. Through references to aeronautical form, the sculptures communicate tension and dance in direct opposition of fundamental forces.

Education

• MFA, Miami University, Sculpture
• BFA, Eastern Michigan University, Ceramics

Fun Fact

Nathan lived in New Castle, IN for ten years.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The opportunity to expand the UIndy communities' knowledge of the vastness of sculpture.

Background

Katherine was raised in Lincoln, Neb., before moving to Indiana to attend the University of Indianapolis where she earned her BFA and MA. She then went on to complete her MFA at Miami University. Katherine has curated local exhibitions as well has presented research and exhibited artwork nationally and internationally. In 2016 she founded Hullabaloo Press in the Department of Art & Design where students learn a variety of printmaking and letterpress techniques. Through Hullabaloo Press students create works in pursuit of their own artistic vision as well as for clients and community partners.

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Research Interests

Katherine’s artwork explores the connections between objects and people as a narrative reflective of relationships, experiences, and memory that mirror culture on a personal level. Katherine is interested in preserving these relationships through painting, printmaking and letterpress. Beyond her personal artwork Katherine actively researches and champions letterpress and letterpress education.

Education

• MFA, Miami University 
• MA, University of Indianapolis 
• BFA,  University of Indianapolis

Fun fact

I am a proud UIndy alum!

Favorite thing about UIndy

The community! The faculty, staff and students working together to make amazing things happen in and outside of the classroom.

Background

​Sarah Pfohl is a dis/abled, chronically ill artist and teacher. She makes work about the value, power, and complexity of: a rural New York hill, the disabled body, and classroom teaching. Sarah’s artistic work has been exhibited and published nationally and internationally; her writing has been published in collective academic journal articles. Sarah was shortlisted for the 2019* Palm Photo Prize and was a FOTOFILMIC18 artist. Her work is part of the Midwest Photographers Project collection hosted by Museum of Contemporary Photography (Chicago).

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Research interests

representation and identity, abstraction, photobooks, drawing as a way of expressing teaching and learning, disability studies

Education

• MFA, Art Photography, Syracuse University
• Ed.M., Arts in Education, Harvard University
• BFA, Drawing, minor: Art History, Pratt Institute

Fun fact

I've crossed the U.S. overland by bus and train 6 times.

Favorite things about UIndy

The commitment to purpose, meaning, and quality I see from students, faculty, and staff across campus and our location in dynamic Indianapolis!

Background

Professional artist who exhibits regionally and nationally and has work in a variety of private, corporate and museum collections.

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Research Interests

realistic figure drawing and painting techniques

Education

• MFA, Painting, Indiana State University
• MA, Drawing, Ball State University
• BFA, Drawing, Ball State University

Fun Fact

Creating and making artwork is one thing I have always been interested in doing my entire life.

Favorite things about UIndy

The smaller campus where you know faculty and staff, as well as the smaller classes that allow you to get to know students.