Hunt Residencies XI

Artist statement:

Keri “Koala” Manne is a working artist in Buffalo who received their Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY Fredonia in 2021. Their main medium is oil paint on stretched canvas, but they also illustrate with dip pens and hand bind sketchbooks. Since they have moved to Buffalo, they have completed an art residency with the Western NY Book Arts Center, received a Covid-19 relief grant titled “Creatives Rebuild New York,” participated in multiple group shows including the BICA School Biennial, the Alberto Rey Alumni Show at NACC, and the Hallwalls Member Show, as well as solo exhibitions including On Our Backs at Fitz Books and Waffles, and other solo shows at the BICA Project Space, RustBelt Books, and the Intersection Cafe. Manne’s most recent painting series titled On Our Backs depicts nude portraits, and delves into concepts of preconceived notions and expectations of gender. While their style is representational, it aims for an impressionistic aesthetic, as some of the artist's biggest inspirations include Joaquín Sorolla, John Singer Sargent, and Édouard Manet. Read the On Our Backs full artist statement on their website.