About Maryann Riker
Maryann Riker identifies as a mixed-media artist, who currently resides in New Jersey. She holds an undergraduate degree from Moravian College, a Master’s Degree from Montclair State University, and a Masters of Fine Arts from Vermont College. Riker has seen success with a background of awards in both private and public exhibitions. Her work translates modern issues with gun violence, discrimination, & equality for women into a vintage style. In broaching subjects of the modern world’s social and political climates, Riker encourages viewers to interact with her narrative to impart their own. She primarily uses photography, embroidery, & ephemera, such as Victorian clip art, vintage maps, wallpaper, and fabric, as media in her works, allowing her to create the vintage nostalgia that emanates from her works. Riker’s photographic Realism along with variable designs and subjects blend the real and tangible creating a level of ambiguity in her work.
New Brunswick Art Salon 2020 – “The Space Between” – Women’s Caucus for Art New York City Chapter
Artist Personal Website: www.justarippress.com
Email: justarippress@gmail.com
Artist Statement
A mixed-media artist, Maryann J. Riker uses vintage photography, embroidery and ephemera to convey a visual narrative regarding modern society issues such as gun violence, discrimination and societal expectations of women. Through her usage of vintage materials, the artist allows the viewer to mentally write their own narrative based on images from the past that confront today’s challenges. Her work has garnered a number of awards and is included in many private and public collections. Riker holds an undergraduate degree from Moravian College, a Master’s degree from Montclair State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Vermont College.
Exhibitions
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2010
Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, “For the Birds”
Center Space Gallery, Easton, PA
1993
Duncan Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee, Scotland
1980
Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
1984
Lehigh County Community College, Schnecksville, PA
1982
Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA
Open Space/Fine Art Resources, Allentown, PA
Selected Group Exhibitions
2020
WCA Members’ Exhibit, New York Public Library, New York, NY
N.A.W.A., New York, NY, “Small Works Winter 2020”
Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA, “Flora and Fauna”
Heavy Bubble Gallery, “Ritual”
Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Kalamazoo, MI, “The Illustrated Accordion”
Northampton Community College, Tannersville, PA, “Earth Speaks VI”
Bethlehem House Gallery, Bethlehem, PA, “Home”
Rotunda Gallery, Bethlehem, PA, “Lehigh Art Alliance Selects Mixed Media”
Marin MOCA, Novato, CA, “Altered Books”
N.A.W.A., New York, NY, “Light and Shadow”
N.A.W.A., New York, NY, “Small Works Summer 2020”