Donalee Peden Wesley is the artist for our current exhibition, We All Fall Down on view until March 24, 2018.

Donalee Peden Wesley received her BFA and MFA from Syracuse University on a full Jacob Javitts Fellowship. She has taught for over 15 years at numerous universities and colleges among them SUNY Oswego, University of Wisconsin Madison, Cazenovia College and Hamilton College. She currently teaches at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College. Donalee’s work has been published in multiple books and magazines. She has received numerous awards and fellowships among them The National Endowment for The Arts and The New York Foundation for the Arts. Her work is included in many public collections including: The Everson Museum; Munson William Proctor; SUNY at Brockport, Liberal Arts Building and the Drawing Institute to name a few, as well as extensive private collections worldwide. (pictured right – Sheep’s clothing: Artists Self-Portrait)

Artist Statement​​​
In my drawings I explore the depths and subtleties of human / animal relationship by creating drawings that reflect the undercurrents of archetypal emotions, ideas and internal and external struggles, and their effects on us and the animals that share our environments.

I am interested in portraying the dualities present in this experience. There are no absolutes in life. Rather, each experience / event is comprised of conflicting opposites. Each individual additionally has her/his own unique experience. Therefore, my drawings are ambiguous and not necessary resolvable, offering an opportunity for reflection and interpretation by each viewer. The pieces merely reflect a subjective understanding of the human/ animal condition, and my desires to explore that further.

I try not to force my interpretation, but rather share with the viewer what I am currently exploring. I find the animal / human figures to be best suited for this task of narration. (Below – Donalee Peden Wesley)