Tiiu Ashcraft (b. 1979)

Tiiu Ashcraft Artist Statement:

D/s Relations Series 2008-2009

My exploration of BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission) has given me an understanding and appreciation of my life sexually, psychologically and artistically. I have been exploring the emotional aspects of the submissive’s psyche. I found the head space difficult and interesting. It is a very real challenge for me to let go completely, when I naturally have the head space of a dominant. Submissives are never weak or look weak in any way, and in the end have more control than the individual in the position of dominance. Submission is earned by respect and trust; it's not just given to the dominant. Ironically it would seem that it takes more control to break from control.

I’m interested in the beauty of human sexual interaction with in the BDSM lifestyle. With this collection of large scale mixed media drawings of erotic BDSM is to bring this interaction into a classically fine art context. These drawings have a mixture of violence, sexuality, power and control. They explore a deliberate tension between beauty and depravity, visual seduction and disquiet.

Striped Facades, 2006-2007

Artist Statement:  The nude self-portrait is perhaps the most intimate form of art. It delves deep into taboo territory and strips away the traditional barriers between artist and viewer. Witnessing such a private act, we may feel the queasy embarrassment of a voyeur, but we are always compelled to look further. The revealing self-portrait cuts to the core of issues of identity, sexuality, and ego – and as it tells as essential truth about its creator it also tells us something about ourselves.

EDUCATION

Solo Exhibitions
2007 "Stripped Facades," Dutzi Gallery, California State University of Long Beach, Ca.
2006 "Aufuis," Werby Gallery, California State University of Long Beach, Ca.

Curated Exhibitions
2007 "Twisted Fairy Tales," Werby Gallery, California State University of Long Beach, Ca., Curators: Tiiu Ashcraft & Somer Manner

Group Exhibitions
2007 "Insights," Annual Student Art Exhibition, University Art Museum, Long Beach, Ca. "Alienation," Merlino Gallery, California State University of Long Beach, Ca. Senior BFA Drawing and Painting Show, Max L. Gatov Gallery West and East, California State University of Long Beach, Ca.
2006 "Leonardo Life Studies Advance Show," California State University of Long Beach, Ca. "Powers of Ten," Gallery Five, California State University of Long Beach, Ca. Junior BFA Drawing and Painting Show, Gallery Five, CSULB Long Beach, Ca.
2005 Annual Student Foundation Show, Max L. Gatov Gallery West, California State University of Long Beach, Ca. "Leonardo Project," California State University of Long Beach, Ca.
2004 "Imagined Spaces," California State University of Long Beach, Ca. "Still Life," California State University of Long Beach, Ca.
1998 Ash-Can Juried Show Exhibition, Ash-Can Gallery, Citrus Heights, CA Annual Student Art Exhibition, Sacramento Fine Art Center, Carmichael, CA Art Punks on the Boulevard, Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, CA
1997 Annual Student Art Exhibition, Sacramento Fine Art Center, Carmichael, CA Art Punks on the Boulevard, Phantom Galleries, Sacramento, CA
1996 Annual Student Art Exhibition, Sacramento Fine Art Center, Carmichael, CA

Work Experience
Education Assistant, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA, 2007- Present Instructor, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA, 2007- Present
Artist Assistant, Janice Urnstien, Rancho Palos Verde, CA, 2007- Present
Curator, Group Juried Show, California State University of Long Beach, Ca. 2007
Artist Assistant, Vladimir Goryachev, Culver City, CA, 2006- Present
Loss Prevention, Sport Chalet Sporting Goods, Laguna Hills, CA, 2001-2003
Administrative Assistant, Marriott International, Inc. Santa Ana, CA, 1999-2001 Administrative Assistant, Innovative Care System, Inc. Rancho Cordova, CA, 1997-1999

Teaching Experience
Instructor, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA, 2008
Four week course "Drawing on the Human Form," mixed media and life drawing: composition, light and dark, technical mastery of drawing the human form.
Instructor, Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA, 2007- Present Weekly workshops for adults and children dealing with 2-D design, drawing, life drawing, beginning drawing, composition, watercolor, figure painting,

Private Collections
Ame A. Seibel, San Diego, Ca.
Alexander Slato, Long Beach, Ca.
Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks, Ca.
Brain E. Smith, Anaheim Hills, Ca.
Janice Johnson, Fair Oaks, Ca.
Jean Stanley, Solana Beach, Ca.
Jesse C. Riley, Huntington Beach, Ca.
Lauren Gerig, Glasgove, UK.
Linda Day, San Pedro, Ca
Mark B. Ashcraft, Fair Oaks, Ca.

Publications
"Resident Artist," The Bronco Voice, Vol. 36 No. 4 December 1996

Commissions
2003 Screen, Acrylic AND Mixed Media on Wood Panels 80"x73", Private Collector, Fair Oaks, CA 1996
Untitled Mural, Latex and Oil on Cement 20'x7', Bella Vista High School, Fair Oaks, CA

Affiliations
2007: Museum of Latin American Art member, Ca
Museum of Contemporary Art member, Ca
National Art Education Association member, Ca
Smack Mellon Gallery member, NY 2005-2007:
California State University of Long Beach, BFA Club
2003-Present: Art Wanted: Portfolio of paintings, drawings and mixed media