Biography
Angela St. Vrain is a sculptor and installation artist based in Minneapolis. Her work is inspired by living in rental apartments, the moving process, and the connection to home. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, she received a BFA in Sculpture from University of Louisville in 2016. Since moving to Minnesota, she has completed residencies at Second Shift Studio Space in St. Paul and Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer, along with receiving a MFA in Visual Studies from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2023. Angela lives with her dog in the most densely populated neighborhood in Minneapolis.
Artist Statement
From one home to the next, apartment dwellers and renters lack control over their personal spaces. It is not only the home itself that defines the living experience, but the quality of life is greatly affected by secondary forces. Landlords, neighbors, greenspace, access, and privacy are factors that will significantly affect the perceived value of a living experience. These conditions are fluid and will leave residents in a state of flux, constantly questioning if they want to – or are even able to – leave or stay.
Based on real floor plans of my own homes, I reconstruct the essence of my past and present rental apartments by using home improvement materials and the often conflicting color palettes of construction caution-orange and beige renovations. By sharing personal archives of my experience while simultaneously activating historical archives in relation to my home and community, my viewers may recall their own memories and experiences of their past and present homes, and think about how these systems are replicated across urban spaces in the United States, single apartment unit by single apartment unit.