Ashley Normal
MFA ’15 Fine Arts Low-Residency
Making observations in the everyday, I find the bizarre and absurd in the familiar. Guided by play and curiosity, I use assemblage, drawing, and painting to create interventions that reframe what already exists, exploring the tension between attraction and repulsion, dark humor, and the surreal.
I connect with the Japanese ceramic method and philosophy of Kintsugi, which treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object or person. By honoring imperfections as marks of resilience and beauty, Kintsugi reminds us that fracture and repair deepen resilience and allure rather than diminish it. The philosophy of wabi-sabi also informs my practice, inviting both myself and the viewer to look closer at what is worn, imperfect, and impermanent; reminders to be mindful, practice acceptance, and relish in the fleeting and ever-changing nature of life.
I do this work to better understand myself and what drives me as an artist, educator, caregiver, and human. I want the viewer to approach my work, and their own surroundings, with a sense of curiosity. What connects us? How do we relieve suffering? What do we leave behind? What is normal?
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Ashley Normal is an artist, educator, and community builder with an MFA and BFA from MassArt. Her practice explores synchronicities, impermanence, and healing through themes of womanhood, caretaking, and mental health. She founded ArtWork in Progress, a zine-based program supporting individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Her work has been exhibited across New England, including the CMCA Biennial, Fitchburg Art Museum, and George Marshall Store Gallery.
