Julia Gartrell is a sculptor who uses wood, textiles, native clays, plaster, bric-a-brac and found objects to interrogate material usage in traditional Appalachian craft and American culture. Reuse of material and “making do” are central to her explorations. Oral history, lore, and relics are among the things gathered for her practice.
She is currently running a traveling art project called the Radical Repair Workshop. More information can be found at radicalrepairworkshop.com.
Julia was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She received an MFA in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design (2015) and a BA in art from Kalamazoo College (2008). She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and has participated in residencies at Fine Arts Work Center, Western Carolina University, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, The Power Plant Gallery at Duke University, Ox-Bow School of Art in Michigan, Ifitry Artist’s Residency in Morocco. Julia has taught at RISD, John Tyler Community College, Kalamazoo College, and Virginia Commonwealth University.