Bio: Artist's Statement

In my current body of work I explore the often hidden and taboo subject of childhood sexual abuse and its sociopolitical relation to the global sex trafficking of indigenous women and girls. I feel compelled to address this unacknowledged topic in support of all women who have had such adverse childhood experiences, and to stimulate public discourse, which can be the first step to catalyzing change.

This body of work started as a private sketch journal that I had no plans to make public. An acquaintance saw the images in the book and discussed them with a family member of mine. Afterward, this family member basically told me that I should not show the sketches to anyone, for fear of how they would judge me.

Feeling defiant in the face of this proposed censorship, I decided to expand the sketches into a body of work with the intention of making it available to the public. The artworks are mixed media, including drawing, painting, and collage on paper.

Resume

Geri Montano

San Francisco CA, 94118

Email gmontano5@yahoo.com
Website www.missionartistsunited.org/artist/redmirage


Education
1994-1997 BFA, San Francisco Art Institute,
San Francisco, CA

Group Exhibitions

2010 Spring Open Studio’s Group Show,
Michelle O’Connor Gallery,
San Francisco, CA

2010 April in Paris, Work Space Limited,
San Francisco, CA

2008 Transmissions Staff Mail Art Show,
Creativity Explored Gallery,
San Francisco, CA

2003 Art of Resistance group performance,Streets
Seattle, WA

2003 Art of Resistance drawing, Rainer Brewery,
Seattle, WA

2002 Doll Sculpture Show, Seattle Center,
Seattle, WA

1997 Requiem for Mother paintings,
S.F.Art Institute Diego Rivera Gallery,
San Francisco, CA

1996 Student Sculpture Show, S.F. Art Institute
Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Solo Exhibitions

1996 Mural Project, Symphony of One Gallery,
San Francisco, CA

1996 Drawing the Painting, Rouge Gallery,
San Francisco, CA

Collections

Ester Hernandez, Professional Artist,
San Francisco, CA

Nelcy Tarics, Collector, Artist, San Rafael, CA

Bianca Kaplan, Collector San Francisco, CA

Professional Experience

2010 Participated in Spring Open Art Studios,
The Blue Studios, San Francisco, CA


2009 Grant writing workshop, for Native American
& Indigenous artists, Galeria de la Raza,
San Francisco, CA

2004 Political Art Conference Collaborator,
Art of Resistance, Seattle, WA

2002 Certificate for Small Business, Washington Cash,
Seattle, WA

1995 Created sculpture props for theater production,
Berkeley Theater Project, Berkeley, CA


Teaching Experience

Present- Visual Art Instructor, Creativity Explored,
San Francisco,CA

2003 Taught a mask making workshop, Freedom Socialist
Center, Seattle, WA

1995 Teaching assistant, Betty Burgoyne sculpture
class, S.F. Art Institute, San Francisco, CA