ARTIST STATEMENT
My work focuses on the many layers of an individual's mental health and on the animal and plant symbols used to explore and communicate those inner narratives with the outside world. These symbols allow us to better express our inner workings and create more empathic connections with others. I create art combining these symbols to mold a layered and multifaceted visual representation of a complex being.
Our mental health is not a single defining trait, nor is it static. It is a strata constructed from multiple facets of human life such as biology, chemistry, experience, environment, relationships, exercise, nutrition, therapies, and medications. I reflect this layering purposefully through layers of painting, drawing and printmaking. Combinations of line and color stack on top of each other, sometimes on paper or canvas, and other times through sculptural vehicles such as resin, which allows the transparent, slide-like aspect of human experience to be visualized.
Each of these layers act as part of a changing chemical and neurological makeup, as they occur on a personal timeline that builds as each experience is added, creating a mental portrait. Once experienced, these events can never be erased and are frozen in time forever, however, the next slide or layer of experiences (placed on top or in front) alters the final view of the ones below or behind it, combining into something far more dynamic. Just as this happens inside of a person’s mind, I use methods of encasing experience and symbols in time with resin and ink to create mental portraits.
BETHANY SALISBURY CV
EDUCATION
2023 MFA, Studio Art, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, SC
2009 BFA, Illustration + Graphic Design, East Carolina University. Greenville, NC
PROFESSIONAL + TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2025-Present Residency Director, McColl Center. Charlotte, NC
2023-2025 Programs Coordinator, McColl Center. Charlotte, NC
2012 - Present Owner + Artist, Pet Portraits by Bethany. Matthews, NC
2023 Adjunct Instructor of Photo Media Studies, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, SC
2022 Adjunct Instructor of 2D Design, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, SC
2022 St-Arts Middle School Darkroom Photo Instructor, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, SC
2021 Graduate Assistant to Dept. Chair of Fine Arts, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, SC
2021 Painting Instructor, City Art Room. Charlotte, NC
2018 - 2019 Marketing Director, Destination Marathons. Matthews, NC
2009 - 2012 Graphic Designer + Marketing Assistant, MirrorMate Frames. Matthews, NC
2008 Graphic Designer + Illustrator, Eye Integrated Branding. Greenville, NC
RECENT EXHIBITIONS
2024 Sovereign, McColl Center. Charlotte, NC
2024 The Audacity, McColl Center. Charlotte, NC
2023 Art Fields, Lake City, SC
2022 Artist in Theater Featured Artist, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Charlotte, NC
2022 Art Party, Friday Arts Project. Rock Hill, NC
2022 Divulge Mental Health Exhibition, d'Art Center. Norfolk, VA
2022 Elemental Print Competition Exhibition, Iredell Arts Council. Statesville, NC
2022 ACYC 33rd Annual Juried Show, Arts Council of York County. Rock Hill, NC
2022 Hand. Block. Fiber., Arts Council of York County. Rock Hill, NC
2022 LAPS: Wildlife, Center for the Arts Eagle Rock. Los Angeles, CA
2022 22/22, Plymouth College of Art. Plymouth, UK
2021 Winter Juried Show, Charlotte Art League. Charlotte, NC
2021 Art Party, Friday Arts Project. Rock Hill, NC
2021 Sensations, Winthrop University. Rock Hill, NC
2020 Winter Juried Show, Charlotte Art League. Charlotte, NC
2020 The Armory Show, (Carrie Secrist Gallery / Adrian Wong installation). NYC, New York
2016 My Life as a Dog, Ciel Gallery. Charlotte, NC
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
2022 Carolina Muse Literary and Art Magazine, Vol 2: No 2.
2014 Robin Raye, 1000 Dog Portraits From The People Who Love Them. Rockport Publishers, 2014