Photo credit: Beth Skogen
Katherine Steichen Rosing explores invisible forces in forests and watersheds related to climate and other environmental issues through vividly-hued paintings, intricate mixed media works, and immersive installations.
Rosing's paintings and drawings have been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad, including Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Tokyo, and Beijing. Her work is included in public and private collections internationally including the State of Wisconsin Collection, Northwestern Mutual, and the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including the 2022 Forward Art Prize. Furthering her environmental research, she was awarded artist residencies at the UW-Madison Department of Limnology’s Trout Lake Research Station, and the St. Croix Watershed Research Station sponsored by the Science Museum of Minnesota.
A long-time arts educator, Rosing taught college art courses in the Chicago area and in Madison, Wisconsin where she lives and maintains her studio. Rosing earned a BFA from the University of Colorado-Denver and holds an MFA in painting and drawing from Northern Illinois University. Her work is represented by Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis.
STATEMENT
I have a profound relationship with northern ecosystems and the deep forests and waters they envelop. My work includes painting and installation. I am obsessed with color and surface in painting and with creating immersive installations. Embedded in both practices are my experiences in the wilderness, experimentation in the studio, and scientific readings about environmental issues.
Painting abstractly is a conduit for me to examine and envision intricate relationships in natural environments. I work in many layers using acrylic paint to develop a complex surface. I often draw or scratch into wet paint, then apply new layers that may obscure the original marks. These implanted inscriptions may refer to invisible processes and life forms or may simply encrust the surface. The versatility and fast drying nature of acrylic make it ideal for these techniques. The paintings range in scale from quietly intimate to engulfing.
Forests are my lens to climate, invasive species, and ecological cycles, themes explored in my large-scale installations. Tree-scale suspended sculptures made from various lightweight collapsible materials provide an experiential space to contemplate invisible environmental processes and ecological issues. The delicate “spirit tree” fabric sculptures suggest the fragility of forest ecosystems. The trees are hand sewn, beaded, and embroidered along with other repurposed and recyclable materials. I treasure the partnerships that develop through these projects, ranging from research and dialogue to creative collaborations that enrich my perspective and expand the ecological dialogue.
CV
EDUCATION
MFA Northern Illinois University-DeKalb
BFA University of Colorado-Denver
BA University of Wisconsin-Madison
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Atmospheric Intricacies, James May Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2023 Inhale/Exhale, Until the Last Breath, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Stoughton, WI
Water Shields & Damselflies, Center for Visual Arts, Wausau, WI
2022 Ten Thousand Beings, Alan Priebe Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
2021 When a Tree Thrives, Garver Feed Mill, Madison, WI (included in Winter is Alive 2021)
2019 Beneath the Canopy, Gallery 1308, Union South, University of Wisconsin-Madison
2018 Emeralds to Ashes, Gallery at Truax, Madison College, Madison, WI
Vigil, Installation in The Cooler, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Paoli, WI
Cadences, C.R. Davidson’s Renaissance Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2015 Into the Woods, Ballweg Gallery, Goodman Center, Madison, WI
2014 Secret Depths, Drury Gallery, Portage Center for the Arts, Portage, WI
2013 Harmony, Studio84 Gallery, Whitewater, WI
2010 Interlude: Quiet Spaces, Urban Ecology Center Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Ebb & Flow, Tenth Street Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2006 One from Wisconsin, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
2004 Radiance, W. H. Moring, Jr. Art Center, Asheboro, NC
2002 Arts Club of Washington, Washington, D.C.
1999 ACME Art Company, Columbus, OH
De Ricci Gallery, Edgewood College, Madison, WI
1998 CitiARTS Space, Madison Municipal Building, Madison, WI
1996 A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
1995 Contemporary Art Center, Arlington Heights, IL
1994 A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
SELECTED TWO-PERSON EXHIBITIONS
2019 Swept Away, Overture Community Galleries, (with Aaron Laux), Overture Center, Madison, WI
2016 In Omni Terra: of the Earth, (with Gustavo Flores), Gallery Marzen, Madison, WI
2010 EarthCurve, Wisconsin Union Galleries Theater Gallery, University of Wisconsin, (with Bobbette Rose) Madison, WI
2008 Silences, A.R.C. Gallery, (with Kohji Ohsono), Chicago, IL
Elemental, Wisconsin Arts Board Gallery, Administration Building, (with David Sear), Two-Person, Madison, WI
2003 Gallery Toki, (with Kohji Ohsono), Saitama-shi, Japan
2002 Klammer Gallery, (with Kohji Ohsono), Tokyo, Japan
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 5-10-100: Women Artists Forward, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI
Museum of Wisconsin Art Contemporary 2024, St. Kate Arts Hotel, Milwaukee, WI
Aquatica, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland, WI
Wisconsin Visual Artists Biennial, Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, WI
2020 Threads of Truth: Social Impact, Zou B Art Center, 2nd Floor Gallery, (curated by Sergio Gomez), Chicago, IL
Secura 2020, Trout Museum of Art, Appleton, WI
Science Seen, Data Science Research Art Exhibit, The Discovery Building, UW Madison, Madison, WI
2019 Phoenix from the Ashes, Overture Playhouse Gallery, Madison, WI, (August – October)
Women’s Work, Diane Ballweg Gallery, Madison Central Library, Madison, WI
2018 Collaboration, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Paoli, WI
The 60’s Revisited, Overture Playhouse Gallery, Madison
Cosmic Waves in Cryptic Phases (installation) Lab3, Art and Literature Laboratory, Madison, WI
2018 Collaboration, Abel Contemporary Gallery, Paoli, WI
The 60’s Revisited, Overture Playhouse Gallery, Madison
Paper In Particular, Columbia College Sidney Larson Gallery, Columbia, MO, (juror: Tamryn McDermott)
2017 On and About Paper, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Fine Arts Gallery, Kenosha, WI (jurors: Dara Larson, Max Yela)
2016 Floating on Waves, Japan Wisconsin Cultural Exchange, Promega Art Showcase, Fitchburg, WI
Municipal, Madison Municipal Building, Madison, WI, (curated by Trent Miller)
Luminous Flux, Gallery Marzen, Madison, WI
All About Trees, Riverfront Arts Center, Stevens Point, WI (award)
2015 Nature Abstracted, Gallery 211, Madison College, Madison, WI
Earth Sculpture 2015 (installation), Farley Center, Verona WI
ARC 40th Anniversary Show Revisited, Beverly Art Center, Chicago, IL
Gallery 211 Début: Faculty Exhibition, Gallery 211, Madison College, Madison, WI
2014 An Alternate Perspective, Espace Mirabeau, Tokyo
2014 Wisconsin Artists Biennial, MOWA (Museum of Wisconsin Art), West Bend, WI
2013 Sum & Substances, Faculty Exhibition Truax Gallery, Madison College, Madison, WI
ARC 40th Anniversary Exhibition, Chicago ARC Gallery, IL
Distant in Geography, Close in Mind, Bunpodo Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Beneath the Surface, Overture Community Gallery, Madison, WI
2012 The Golden Age of British Watercolors, Chazen Museum of Art, 1790–1910, (six watercolors included as educational component),
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
MARN Salon6: Painting, MARN Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2011 Taking a Stand, Uri-Eichen Gallery, Chicago, IL
Common Ground, River Arts Center, Prairie du Sac, WI, (curated by Andree Valley)
Divergence: Madison College Drawing & Painting Faculty, Overture Galleries, Gallery III, Madison, WI
2010 Friends from Near and Far, Commonwealth Gallery, Madison, WI (curated by Doug Haynes)nds From Near and Far,
2009 Off the Map, Artworks Gallery, Kenosha, WI
Splash, Fall Faculty Concert, Metabolic Dances, (projected images) Wisconsin Union Theater, University
of Wisconsin-Madison, choreography by Jin-Wen-Yu. Olga Trubetskoy, science advisor. Madison, WI
Faculty Exhibition, Truax Gallery, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI
2008 Two Cultures/One Spirit, Saitama Modern Art Museum, Saitama, Japan
Summer Group Show, High Street Gallery, Mineral Point WI
2006 Diasporic Art Practices, Gallery 734, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (curated by Pritika Chowdhry)
Two Cultures/One Spirit, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
2005 Two Cultures/One Spirit, Wisconsin Union Galleries, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI
MATC Faculty Exhibition, Truax Gallery, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI
Layered Intentions, Overture Center Community Gallery, Madison, WI
Art of Note, Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI
2004 MATC Faculty Exhibition, Truax Gallery, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI
2003 30th Anniversary Exhibition, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
MATC Faculty Exhibition, Truax Gallery, Madison Area Technical College, Madison, WI
War & Peace: Artists’ Voices, Gallery 218, Milwaukee, WI
2002 Wisconsin/Japan Exchange, Inoue Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Wisconsin Japan Cultural Exchange, Saitama Modern Art Museum, Saitama, Japan
Tomioka Museum, Wisconsin Japan Cultural Exchange, Tokyo, Japan
Wisconsin Artists Biennial 2001, Anderson Art Center, Kenosha, WI, (traveling exhibition originated at Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc, WI)
2001 Twelve Squared, Prairie State College Christopher Art Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL
Wisconsin Artists Biennial, Rahr-West Museum, Manitowoc, WI
2000 Japanese American Exhibition, Porter Butts Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors Centennial Exhibition West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
German-American Exhibition, Kleine Galerie, Chemnitz, Germany
Elements 2000, Silicon Gallery, New York, NY, (curated by Jane Ingram Allen and Devorah Sperber)
1999 Spring Painting Invitational, University Art Gallery, UW-LaCrosse, La Crosse, WI
1998 Wisconsin Sesquicentennial Exhibition, Charles Allis Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI,
Silver Salon, A.R.C. Gallery’s 25th Anniversary Exhibition, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Thirteenth Annual Small Works International, Amos Eno Gallery, New York, NY
1997 Drawings in Paint and Charcoal, Pearl Conard Gallery, Ohio State University, Mansfield, OH, (three-artist exhibition)
1996 Beijing and Beyond: Women Artists Respond to the UN 4th World Conference on Women, United Nations, NY (traveling exhibition venues: Leiber House, NY, University of Texas at Dallas, OMNI Gallery, NY,
Mills College, Oakland, CA, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL)
1995 Global Focus: Women in Art and Culture, Beijing, China
Tell Me a Story: Personal Narratives from the Women's Caucus for Art NGO Forum Delegation, UN 4th World Conference on Women, Willow Building, Huairou, China
45th Annual Quad State Exhibition, Quincy Art Center, Quincy, IL (Two Purchase Awards)
Modern Icons, Reicher Gallery, Barat College, Lake Forest, IL
1994 Moraine Valley Faculty Exhibition, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, IL
1993 Chicago/New York Exchange, Amos Eno Gallery, New York, NY
Inner Meaning & Spirituality, North Lakeside Cultural Center, Chicago, IL
1992 Drawing Show, From Above Gallery, Chicago, IL
Stars & Stripes Forever, R.H. Love Gallery, Chicago, IL (Catalog)
A.R.C. Gallery Members Annual Exhibition, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Collective Imagery, Contemporary Arts Center, Arlington Heights, IL
Seeing Red, White or Blue, Visual Arts Center of Alaska, Anchorage, AK (Catalog)
Open Spectrum, David Adler Cultural Center, Libertyville, IL
Artists for the Earth, Contemporary Arts Center, Arlington Heights, IL
1991 Visions of the Heart, University of Wisconsin ‑ LaCrosse, La Crosse, WI
Paper in Particular, Columbia College, Columbia, MO
10th Anniversary Show, Core New Art Space, Denver, CO,
Watercolor Invitational, Norris Cultural Arts Center, Wheaton, IL
1989 Symbol of Diversity, Lannon Gallery, Chicago, IL
Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art, Artemisia Gallery, Chicago, IL
1986 Five Denver Artists, LA ArtCore, Los Angeles, CA
REVIEWS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
2021 46 Artists for America’s First Ladies,” Isthmus, Madison, WI
Barry Adams, “Artists take on climate,” Wisconsin State Journal, p. A6-A7, February 14, 2021.
2019 “Beijing Journal: United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing China 1995,” (contributor,) Maureen Burns-Bowie editor.
2018 Dylan Brogan, “The people’s house,” Isthmus, December 6, 2018.
Lindsay Christians, Local artists’ work is featured on every floor of the new Municipal building,
Madison.com, December 10, 2018. Photolink
John McLaughlin, “When a tree falls . . . make art, ‘Emeralds to Ashes’ mourns the loss of infested trees,” Isthmus, November 15, 2018.
Maggie Liu, “LAB3 work synergizes physics, scientists, arts,” Daily Cardinal, September 20, 2018.
2016 Floating on Waves, Exhibition Catalog, Promega Art Showcase, Fitchburg, WI
Gayle Worland, “Artist friendships lead to international show,” Wisconsin State Journal, June 13, p.E1,6.
“Surface Reflections,” Brava Magazine, Madison, WI, April. p. 84.
2013 ARC 1973-2013: 40th Anniversary Exhibition Catalog, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Distant in geography, Close in mind, Exhibition Catalog, Tokyo, Japan
“An Exhibit of Quiet Spaces,” Walworth County Sunday, Whitewater, WI, September 1, p. 9.
2011 Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission 2011 Calendar
2010 “Scenes of a Year,” Lindsay Christians, Capital Times 77 Square, November 11-17, p 6.
Lindsay Christians, ‘Friends’ program bridges oceans, lifespans,” Capital Times, 77 Square, Madison, WI July 15 – 22, p. 21.
Lindsay Christians, “Off the Wall: Interference,” Capital Times 77 Square, February 14, p. G4.
2009 Lindsay Christians, “Grace’s Gallery turns 30,” The Capital Times/77 Square, November 12-18, p. 21.
2008 Two Cultures, One Spirit, Wisconsin – Saitama Art Exchange Exhibition Catalog, Saitama, Japan
“Cultural exchanges under way at Memorial Union Galleries,” UW Madison Wisconsin Week, September 21, p. 9.
2003 A.R.C. Gallery, 30th Anniversary Exhibition Catalog, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
Sarah Van Harpen, “Gallery 218 show examines War and Peace: Artists Voices,” OnMilwaukee.com, April 25.
2000 Wisconsin Art History: Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors/Wisconsin Artists in All Media Centennial_Exhibition Catalog, West Bend Art Museum, West Bend, WI
1999 C.R. Gabriel, “Interlude: Works by Katherine Steichen Rosing,” Isthmus, Vol. 24, No. 2, January 8, p. 20.
Tom Linfield, “DeRicci Gallery Spring Exhibition,” Edgewood College Today, Winter.
Ann Waters, “A Walk on the Female Side,” The Fitchburg Star, April 22.
1998 Statements: Outrageous Acts (and little intimacies), Exhibition Catalog, Madison, WI
Sally Mauritzen, “Local Artist takes us 'through the looking glass,'” Darien Progress, p. 17, July 7.
The 45th Annual Quad-State Exhibition Catalog, Quincy Art Center, Quincy, IL
1995 “Artists Abroad,” Chicago Tribune, WomanNews, August 20.
“Artist to Attend China Conference,” Darien Progress, p. 20, August 10.
1994 Margaret Carroll, “Twins' Mother paints a portrait of double time life and art,” Chicago Tribune,
WomanNews, p. 2, June 12.
1993 A.R.C. 1973 - 1993: A.R.C. Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition Catalog, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
1992 Seeing Red, White, or Blue, Exhibition Catalog, Visual Arts Center of Alaska, Anchorage, AK
1992 Stars & Stripes Forever, The Flag in Contemporary American Art, Exhibition Catalog, R.H. Love Gallery, Chicago, IL
1987 “11 AGA artists offer self-portraits; 5 focus on flora,” Appleton Post Crescent, September 27, p. C12. 1986 “Core New Art Space,” The Denver Post, Weekend Section, March 28.
GRANTS
2022 Forward Art Prize 2022, Women Artists Forward Fund
2021 Madison Arts Commission and Garver Feedmill, support for When a Tree Thrives
DANG 2021, Dane Arts Grant
2018 Madison Arts Commission and the Wisconsin Arts Board Individual Artist Fellowship, Emeralds to Ashes
2018 Dane Arts Short Order Project Grant, Vigil
2008 Woodside Home & School Association and Hamilton Education Foundation, funded Artist in Residence
ARTIST RESIDENCY
2020 Drawing Water, Trout Lake Research Station, Center for Limnology, UW-Madison
2019 Artist at Pine Needles, sponsored by the St. Croix Watershed Research Station and the Science Museum of Minnesota, Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota
2008 Artist-in-Residence, Woodside Elementary School, Sussex, Wisconsin
ABBREVIATED TEACHING HISTORY
1999–2020 Faculty, Madison College (MATC), College Transfer Art Program, Madison, WI
2000–2001 Lecturer, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Art Department, Madison, WI
1993–1996 Faculty, College of Du Page, Glen Ellyn, IL
LECTURES/INTERVIEWS/PANELS
2021 Artdose Talks with Frank Juarez, Episode 33: Katherine Steichen Rosing,
2019 Pine Needles Artist Lecture, Public Library, Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, August 7.
2016 Visiting Artist, Family Day, Milwaukee Art Museum, December 4.
Lecture, “Artists of Floating on Waves Exhibition,” BioPharmaceutical Technology Center, Fitchburg, WI, June 14.
Lecture/Visiting Artist, Art in Restoration Workshop, UW Madison-Arboretum, July 11-14.
2012 Demonstration & Lecture: “Contemporary Watercolor Techniques,” Chazen Museum of Art, October 13, and November 3.
Visiting Artist Lecture, Wisconsin Regional Artist Program, Pyle Center, UW-Madison.
2007-08 Artist-in-Residence, Woodside Elementary, Sussex, Wisconsin. Created 8 murals, working with 200 students (grades 2 – 5).
Funded by grants from the Woodside Home & School Association and the Hamilton Education Foundation.
2002 Lecture, “Structuring Chaos, An Artists View”, University of Wisconsin-Madison Chaos/Complexity Seminar, April 23.
2000 Visiting Artist/Juror, Regional Arts Program, Monroe Arts Center, Monroe, WI June 3.
1999 Visiting Artist/Lecture/Critique, University of Wisconsin‑La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, April 7.
Exhibition Lecture, De Ricci Gallery, Edgewood College, Madison, WI January 29.
1995 Panelist, “Collaborating Women: Organizational Models for Artists ‑‑ Past, Present, Future,” NGO Forum at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on
Women, Huairou, China, September.
1994 Exhibition Lecture, “Over the Edge in Double Time,” A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, June 18.
1994 Guest Lecturer, “Artist‑‑Run, Nonprofit Galleries,” College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, May 17.
1991 Panelist, Censorship in the Arts, Eyes on Our World, Brookfield High Cable Television, May 1991.
VISITING ARTIST/PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
2018 Emeralds to Ashes Beading and Sewing Workshop, with Spring Harbor Elementary School 5th grade students, Madison, WI, MacKenzie Center, Poynette, WI,
October 16.
2018 Emeralds to Ashes, drop-in workshops for staff and students, Madison College, Madison, WI, October.
2016 Visiting Artist, Family Day, Milwaukee Art Museum, December 4.
2000 Visiting Artist/Juror, Regional Arts Program, Monroe Arts Center, Monroe, WI June 3.
1999 Visiting Artist/Lecture/Critique, University of Wisconsin‑La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, April 7.
Exhibition Lecture, De Ricci Gallery, Edgewood College, Madison, WI January 29.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IN THE ARTS
2015–2016 Curator, Floating on the Waves, (an international exchange exhibition including Japanese and Wisconsin artists.)
June 14 – September 13, 2016 at Promega Art Showcase, Verona, WI.
2012 Juror, Wisconsin Regional Art Program, Madison exhibition
2004–2005 Curator, Two Cultures/One Spirit, an international exchange with Japanese artists, exhibition and events at Wisconsin Union Galleries,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
2003–2004 Advisory Board, Monroe Street Fine Art Center, Madison, WI
2002–2004 Committee Member, Wisconsin Arts Board Percent for Art, Biotechnology Building Addition University of Wisconsin – Madison
2001 Juror, Wisconsin Regional Art Program Exhibition, Monroe, WI
1993–1996 ARC Gallery/Educational Foundation, Chicago, IL
Curator, Miriam Schapiro Exhibition (1993)
Curator, Invitational Galleries
Vice-President (1994-1996)
1989 Exhibition coordinator, Landscapes/Mindscapes, A.R.C. Gallery, Chicago, IL
SELECTED CORPORATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Lakeview Regional Medical Center, Rice Lake, WI, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee, WI,
The State of Wisconsin Collection, Madison, WI, UW Health American Center, Madison, WI
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Groveland Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
Kim Storage Gallery, Milwaukee, WI