Keeley Haftner – Canadian b. 1985
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts in Studio, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Chicago, IL:
2014-2016, Fiber and Material Studies Department,
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Mount Allison University (MTA), Sackville, NB: 2007-2011
Triple Major: Sculpture, Printmaking and Painting
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
(*indicates juried)
*2018-2023: Stroom, Haagse Kunstenaar, The Hague, NL
2021-2023: Artist Support Group, founded by Michael Shaw (The Conversation Art Podcast, Los Angeles, USA)
2021-2023: Bad at Sports, Writer in Residence, Chicago, USA
2018-2020: Makerspace Leiden, member, Leiden, NL
2017-2020: Bad at Sports, Writer/Production Assistant, Chicago, USA
2013-2018: Studio Assistant: Cauleen Smith (2017 Whitney Biennial), Tammi Campbell, Frances Whitehead
2016-2017: Co-Curator/Founder, Public Access Gallery, Chicago, USA
2015-2016: Sustainability Student Coordinator, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), Chicago, USA
2015-2016: Research Assistant, Textile Resource Center (SAIC), Anne Wilson, Chicago, USA
2014-16: Teaching Assistant: “Designed Objects: Milan” (Helen Maria Nugent & Jim TerMeer), “Papermaking” (Andrea Peterson) “Oil Painting” (Magalie Guerin); “Politics of Knitting” (Karolina Gnatowski); “Hardcore Repeat” (Christine Tarkowksi)
SAIC, Chicago, USA
2013: Docent, Mendel Art Gallery (now rRemai Modern), Saskatoon, CA
2012-2014: Director/Founder/Curator, “Street Meet: Saskatoon’s Annual Street, Public and Graffiti Art Festival,” Saskatoon, CA
EXHIBITIONS
SOLO
Keramiekmuseum Princessehof (Ceramic Museum of the Netherlands) / Carbon Copies / curated: Wendy Gers (EKWC@Princessehof) / Leeuwarden, NL (2023)
Compound Yellow Gallery / Tesselescence (Compound Yellow) / curated: Laura Shaeffer / Chicago, USA (2023)
*This Art Fair / Keeley Haftner/ Solo booth installation / Amsterdam, NL (2022)
Paris London Hong Kong / limitless future, limited reflection / curated: Sibylle Friche / Chicago, USA (2017)
*Struts Gallery Inc / Tesselescence (Struts) / residency/installation / Sackville, CA (2017)
*Third Space Gallery / Reasonable Grounds / Saint John, CA (2017)
HAUNT Gallery / Potsherds / curated: Lucien Durey / Various Sites (Iceland) (2014)
Satchel Gallery / Potsherds / curated: Anitra Hamilton / Various Sites (Canada) (2014)
The Vault Gallery / 7 Propositions / Bruno Arts Bank / Bruno, CA (2013)
The Vault Gallery / Waste Warrior Women of the Post-Saskatchewan Apocalypse / Bruno Arts Bank / Bruno, CA
*Struts Gallery Inc / Becoming / The Living Is Easy / Sackville, CA (2011)
GROUP
2023
Living In The Play: nido II / Material Girl / curated: Annie Wischmeyer / Monte Castello di Vibio, IT
University of Manitoba School of Art Gallery / Indeterminate Limits / curated: Scotland Cook / Winnipeg, CA
2022
GG3 Gallery & Werkstadt Berlin / CrisisFEST / curated: Maria Korporal / Berlin, DE
European Ceramic Workcentre / Test Case XXIII / Performance/Exhibition / Oisterwijk, NL (2021/22)
The Franklin Outdoor / Still Life / curated: Edra Soto / Chicago, USA (2021-22)
2021
Compound Yellow / Party Balloons / invitational, Terrain Biennial, Chicago, USA
Garden Apartment Gallery / Tesselescence (Garden Apartment Gallery) / in partnership with Chicago Architecture Biennial/The Franklin Outdoor / Chicago, USA
2020
*The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery / 2020 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics Digital Exhibition / Kitchener, CA
*InterAccess Gallery / Life as we know it / curated: Megan MacLaurin / Toronto, CA
A.I.R. Gallery / Fe*Mail*Art / New York, USA
CNL Projects and Terrain Exhibitions / ART-IN-PLACE / Invitational / Chicago, USA / The Hague, NL
*The Robert McLaughlin Gallery / RMG Exposed Online Exhibition / Oshawa, CA
2019
*Global 3000 / Artists for Future / Berlin, DE
Parallel Studios Inc / Currents 826 / curated: Mariannah Amster/Frank Ragano / Santa Fe, USA
2018
Sugar Space / Role Call / curated: Bryn Jackson/Jenn Cooper / Indianapolis, USA
*IPCNY / Edging Forward / New York, USA
*Chicago Artists Coalition / Beyond Words / curated: Danny Floyd / Chicago, USA
2017
*Chicago Artists Coalition / In Your Head / curated: Meg Noe / Chicago, USA
Randy Alexander Gallery / Drawing / curated: Randy Alexander / Chicago, USA
*Roman Susan / Property / Rogers Park-West Ridge Historical Society / Chicago, USA
Petzel Gallery / We need to talk… / New York, USA
Schering Stiftung / On the Far Side of the Marchlands / curated: Morehshin Allahyari & Daniel Rourke / Berlin, DE
Estevan Art Gallery & Museum / Plastic Rhymes / curated: Ali King, Estevan, CA
2016
*Studio XX (now Ada X!) / Occupation(s) / Montréal, CA
*form & concept / Virtual Object / curated: Frank Rose / Santa Fe, USA
*Art Institute of Chicago / 150th Gala / Chicago, USA
Sullivan Galleries / MFA Show 2016 / curated: Kelly Schindler / Chicago, USA
Travelling Exhibition / Repetition / Ink Slab Printmakers / Saskatchewan, CA (2014-2016)
Travelling Exhibition / Under New Management / curated: Suzanne Carte/Su-Ying Lee / CA (2013-16)
2014
Purdy Crawford Centre for the Arts / Alumni Exhibition / Sackville, CA
*SÍM Gallery / EYJA / Reykjavík, IS
Communication Art Gallery / RePRO:2014 / curated: Kimberley Rush / Toronto, CA
Powwow / PAL / Seoul, KR
2012
aka artist-run / aka Members Show / curated: Lisa Baldissera / Saskatoon, CA
2011
MOCA Gallery / BMO 1st ART! / curated: Dawn Cain / Toronto, CA
2010
*Hamilton Artists Inc / The Archive and Everyday Life / Hamilton, CA
GRANTS/AWARDS/HONOURS
*Sobey Art Award Longlist (Prairies and the North), Canada (2023)
Ceramic Award De Kei, nominator: KABK director Ranti Tjan, Short List/Winner TBA, Terra Delft Gallery/Museum Prinsenhof Delft, NL (2023)
Stroom PRO Onderzoek (Research) Grant, The Hague, NL (2023)
Mondriaan Fonds/Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Municipality of Leeuwarden (support for EKWC@Princessehof exhibition), Leeuwarden, NL (2023)
*Stroom SPOT Individuele Tentoonstelling (Individual Exhibition) Grant, The Hague, NL (2022)
Artists Run Chicago Fund, Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, USA (2021)
Stroom and Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds, Performance Site (P.S.) Amsterdam, NL
Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics (finalist), The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Kitchener, CA (2021)
*Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation Grant (2021)
*Sunday Morning Grant, European Ceramic Workcentre, Oisterwijk, NL (2021)
*Stroom, PRO Deo Studio Visit Subsidy, The Hague, NL (2019-20)
*Canada Council for the Arts Research and Creation Grant (2018)
*Saskatchewan Arts Board Independent Artist Grant, CA (2018)
Jeu de Paume (Transmediale), Paris, FR (2017)
Schering Foundation, Berlin, DE (2017)
*Arts, Science & Culture Collaboration Initiative Grant with PhD candidate in microbiology (Will McFadden), Chicago, USA (2015-2016)
*SAIC Second Year International Graduate Scholarship, Chicago, USA (2015)
*SAIC Graduate Studies Travel Grant, Chicago, USA (2015)
Fiber and Material Studies Haystack Conference Fellowship, Chicago, USA (2015)
*Ox-Bow Merit Scholarship, Saugatuck, USA (2015)
*SaskFestivals Project Grant, Saskatoon, CA (2014)
*2013-14: Placemaker Program, Saskatoon, CA (2014)
*SaskCulture Capacity Building Grant (w/aka artist-run), Saskatoon, CA (2013)
*Winter 2013 Member's Production Fund, PAVED Arts, Saskatoon, CA (2013)
Saskatchewan Arts Board Travel Grant, Regina, CA (2012)
*BMO Financial Group’s 1st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition, Toronto, CA (2011)
Fine Art Departmental Award, Mount Allison University, Sackville, CA (2011)
*Marjorie Young Bell Fine Art and Music Award, Sackville, CA (2010-2011)
*John P. Asimakos Award in Painting, Sackville, CA (2010-2011)
University Scholarship (Dean’s List), Sackville, CA (2007-2011)
*Crake Junior Research Fellowship, Sackville, CA (2010)
*J.E.A. Crake Foundation Scholarship, Sackville, CA (2008-10)
*Mary K McKean Scholarship, Sackville, CA (2008-2009)
E.B. Pulford Scholarship (Top Incoming B.F.A. Portfolio), Sackville, CA (2007)
CATALOGUES/PRINT – add catalogues
Canadian and World Politics + stuff from drawer
2023
Bos, Jeroen. “Circulaire Kunst” (review). Het Financiaal Dagblad. Amsterdam, NL. (April 30th, 2023).
2022
Van Meeuwen, Judith et al., BAKSTEEN | BRICK (exhibition catalogue). Kunsthal KAdE. Amersfoort, NL. (2022). p. 128
Buckley, Kathleen et. al. Galleryfill (publication). Third Space Gallery. Sackville, NB. (2022).
2019
Fauteaux, Amanda et al. Open Studio (05-2017 – 12/2018) (publication), “Tesselescence and the Rhombillion Effect” (essay). Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre. Sackville, CA. (2019). p. 86-105.
2018
Guimarães, Sandra et al., Thomas Hirschhorn: What Can I Learn from You. What Can You Learn From Me (Critical Workshop). rRemai Modern. “Crocheting with Plastic Bags” (images). Saskatoon, CA. (2018). p. 218-219.
2017
“Property.” Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society and Roman Susan Art Foundation (publication). (April 30, 2017). p. 72.
Miller, Geordie. “Art, Waste, and the Hyperobject: Keeley Haftner’s Landfill of Unwanted Art.” Visual Arts News. (Fall 2017). p. 31-32.
Haftner, Keeley (Ed.). What Is?, (publication), author: “Untruthful Material” (essay), Chicago, USA: Public Access. (September, 2017). p. 50-72.
Haftner, Keeley (Ed.). “Digital Dark,” Public Access 18 Feb 2017 ed.
2016
Allahyari, Morehshin et al., The 3D Additivist Cookbook, Amsterdam, NL: The Institute of Network Cultures, 2016, p. 247-252 ed.
2014
Rhodes, Richard (Ed.). “Hot Jobs: Keeley Hafner [sic].” Canadian Art Magazine. Volume 30, No. 4. (Winter, 2014). P. 78.
ONLINE/PRESS
“Episode 631: Keeley Haftner.” Bad at Sports, podcast interview. (May 25, 2018).
Jonathan Horowitz, “Daily Trumpet” Instagram Project, (February 20, 2020).
“Episode 631: Keeley Haftner.” Bad at Sports, podcast interview. (May 25, 2018).
“Artist of the Week: Keeley Haftner.” LVL3 Gallery. (October 3, 2017).
“Akimbo Hit List: Keeley Haftner.” Akimbo. (June 21, 2017).
“20 Shows We Want to See in 2017.” Canadian Art Magazine. (January 2, 2017).
Haws, Emily. “Tin Can Beach Turns to Waste for Art’s Sake.” Saint John, NB: Telegraph-Journal. (July 3, 2017).
Elliott, Eric. “Why bury art? That’s a good question.” Saint John, NB: Telegraph Journal. (May 30, 2017).
“Alumni Story: Keeley Haftner ’11.” Mount Allison University (website), (October, 2017).
“Documented Dialogues No. 2: Keeley Haftner & Mark Booth.” Chicago Artists Resource. (May, 2017).
Charlton, Jonathan. “Artist Hopes to Spark Discussion with Piles of Plastic.” Saskatoon, SK: The StarPhoenix. (October 12, 2013). A3.
RESIDENCIES
× Living in the Play: nido II, invitational: led by Kelly Kaczynski and Mark Jeffery via the Poor Farm Experiment; hosted by ICARTs, Monte Castello Di Vibio, IT (2023)
× Clint Neufeld Artist Residency, Osler, CA (2022)
× The Franklin Outdoor, curated: Edra Soto, Chicago, USA (2021)
× *European Ceramic Workcentre Project Residency, Oisterwijk, NL (2020-21)
× *Medalta International Artists in Residence Program, Medalta, Medicine Hat, CA (2019)
× *HATCH Projects, curated: (Cesáreo Moreno, Claude Isé, Franck Mercurio, Jennifer Scott), Chicago Artist Coalition, USA (2016-17)
× *Open Studio, Struts Gallery & Faucet Media Arts Centre, Sackville, CA (2017)
× *”Altered States” led by Claire Sherman/Valerie Hegarty, Ox-Bow, Saugatuck, USA (2015)
× *SÍM Residency, Reykjavík, IS (2014)
× *”New Noise” Soi Fischer Thematic Residency, Artscape Gibraltar, Toronto, CA (2013)
× Graven Feather Studio, Toronto, CA (2012)
× *Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Canning, CA (2012)
× *Bruno Arts Bank, Bruno, CA (2012)
× *Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, USA (2011)
BIENNIALS/ART FAIRS/PERFORMANCES
Performance: Carbon Copy (Frances Whitehead) 01, Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Leeuwarden, NL (2023)
Solo Booth/Performances: This Art Fair, Amsterdam, NL (2022)
Performance: Party Balloons, invitational, Compound Yellow, Chicago, USA (2021)
*Public Installation: Tesselescence (Overton Elementary School), Keep in Touch: Terrain Biennial, Chicago, USA (2021)
*Public Installation: Tesselescence (Garden Apartment Gallery) / Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago, USA (2021)
Performance: This Art Fair, curated: Ronald Bal (Performance Site), Amsterdam, NL (2021)
Performance: Test Case XXIII, European Ceramic Workcentre, Oisterwijk, NL (2021)
Performance: 5th Annual Symposium of Art: To Face the World on My Own Again, Sackville, CA (2010)
*Performance: OK, Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival, Sackville Music Hall, Sackville, CA (2010)
Performance: 4th Annual Symposium of Art: You Gave Me Strength to Stand Alone Again, Sackville, CA (2009)
COLLECTIONS
Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Leeuwarden, NL (2023)
Compound Yellow Artist Residency, Chicago, USA (2023)
Jan Christiaan Braun (Museum Overholland), NL (2022)
Clint Neufeld Artist Residency, Osler, CA (2022)
The Franklin Collection, Chicago, IL (2021)
European Ceramic Workcentre, Oisterwijk, NL (2021)
Medalta in the Historic Clay District, CA (2019)
Stichting Egress Foundation, New York/Amsterdam (2017)
Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, Chicago, USA (2017)
Numerous Private Collections
PUBLIC ART
*Public Installation: ”Tesselescence (Umbrella Flag) World Thrift Day,” Mycelium Connection: Terrain Biennial, Chicago, USA (2023)
*Public Installation: “Tesselescence (Overton Elementary School),” Keep in Touch: Terrain Biennial, Chicago, USA (2021)
*Permanent Public Artwork: “Galleryfill”, Third Space gallery, Saint John, CA (2017)
*Temporary Public Artwork: “Found Compressions One and Two,” Placemaker Program, Saskatoon, CA (2013)
FUNDRAISERS
U-AID Charity Art Fair (curated), support for Ukraine, Sofiia Bezuhla (Founder/Managing Director), Amsterdam, NL (2022)
Keeping in Touch: Terrain Biennial, Compound Yellow, Chicago, IL (2021)
*RMG Exposed Juried Photography Fundraiser, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, CA (2020)
Works for Workers Fundraiser for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, USA (2020)
Sweetest Little Thing, Sackville, CA (2018-2022)
WORKSHOPS/VISITING ARTIST INVITATIONS
Visiting Lecturer: Art & Environment, BA Art History/Arts, University of Groningen (2023)
Visiting Lecturer: PROFPRAC 3900: Sustainable Life/Sustainable Practice, (Stacia Yeapanis), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, USA (2022)
Visiting Artist: Sculpture Dialogues and Studio Visit program, (Kelly Kaczynski), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, USA (2021)
Presenter, Earthday Presentation (digital), NCECA Green Task Force, Boulder, USA (2021)
*Panel Discussion: ”Life as we know it”, InterAccess gallery, Toronto, CA (2020)
Visiting Lecturer: Transitional Practices course (organized by Jeff Prokash), School of the Art Institute of Chicago, USA (2020)
Roundtable Discussion: “Role Call” at Sugar Space, Indianapolis, USA (2018)
*Artist Talk: “Energy Well Spent: Complexity and Complicity in Ecologic Production,” Open Engagement 2018, Queens Museum, New York, USA (2018)
Workshop: “Crochet with Plastic Bags”, Thomas Hirschhorn’s “What I can learn from you. What you can learn from me.”, rRemai Modern, Saskatoon, CA (2018)
Artist Talk: “Waste Patterns: Transforming Trash, Obsolescing, Tessellating, and Other Related Complexities,” A Handmade Assembly, Sackville, CA (2017)
Artist Talk: Third Space gallery, Saint John, CA (2017)
*Artist Talk: “On Environment,” School of the Art Institute of Chicago, USA (2016)
Workshop: “Closed Loop 3D Printing”, Concordia University, Montréal, CA (2016)
Workshop: “Closed Loop 3D Printing”, (Keeley Haftner and Will McFadden), Hack Arts Lab, University of Chicago, USA (2016)
Artist Talk: “Artist-as-Curator,” Gordon Snelgrove Gallery, Saskatoon, CA (2016)
*Presentation: “Closed-Loop 3D Printing,” AASHE 2015 Conference and Expo: Transforming Sustainability Education, Minneapolis, USA (2015)
FESTIVALS/CONFERENCES/SYMPOSIA
Participant, Fundamental: Encounters in Art, Design, and Science, CERN, Geneva, CH (2022)
Participant, Rethinking Residencies Symposium, The New School, New York, USA (2021)
Participant, Parallel Ecologies: A Symposium on Art, Media and Environments (2021)
Participant, Workshops for the Whole Earth, Bauhaus Dessau (2021)
Exhibitor (curated): Digital Ephemera's 2019 R-Cade Symposium: Trash, Camden, USA (2019)
*Presenter: Open Engagement: Sustainability, New York, USA (2018)
Exhibitor: A Handmade Assembly, Struts Gallery Inc, Sackville, CA (2017)
*Exhibitor: Photophobia, (Super Vague), Hamilton Artists Inc, Hamilton, CA (2017)
Exhibitor: Ever Elusive: 30 Years of Transmediale, Berlin, DE (2017)
*Exhibitor: Currents: The Santa Fe International New Media Festival, USA (2016)
Participant, Ideas on Making, Materials, and Creative Process, Haystack Mountain Conference, Deer Isle, USA (2015)
*Exhibitor: King Street Alt Film Festival, Toronto, CA (2013)
Exhibitor (curated: Shauna McCabe): Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, Graven Feather Studio, Toronto, CA (2012)
*Exhibitor: ARTwalk, aka artist-run, Saskatoon, CA (2012)
*Exhibitor: The Archive and Everyday Life, John Douglas Taylor Conference, Hamilton, CA (2010)
WRITING
“Funding Art Mountains: An Interview with Angela Bartholomew.” Bad at Sports. (Nov 21, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #9: New Art (M)others.” Bad at Sports. (Sept 27, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #8: Not Retweeting Documenta Fifteen.” Bad at Sports. (June 28, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #7: The Material Immaterial.” Bad at Sports. (May 16, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #6: The Geology of Zen Media.” Bad at Sports. (April 19, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #5: Art From Art.” Bad at Sports. (Mar 22, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #4: Metal as a Foil.” Bad at Sports. (Feb 23, 2022)
“Bad at Art Forum #3: Buckets as Well as Jewels.” Bad at Sports. (January 17, 2022).
“Bad at Art Forum #1: Unpaid Intern.” Bad at Sports. (November 15, 2021).
Haftner, Keeley. et al., “Public Access.” (article). Lumpen Magazine – Artist-Run Edition. (Issue 137 Volume 39 No 02, Fall 2020). p. 57-59.
“Review: Institutional Garbage.” Bad at Sports. (December 10, 2019).
“On, In, and Around the Line: An Interview with John Murchie.” Bad at Sports. (December 19, 2017).
“One or Three Chairs: Interview with Michael J. Golec.” Bad at Sports. (October 17, 2017).
“Appreciating the Weirdness: An Interview with Ina Blom.” Bad at Sports. (July 25, 2017).
"Taking the Line for a Walk: Interview with Piers Secunda." Bad at Sports. (May 3, 2017).
“Through Either Side: Interview with Simon Anderson.” Bad at Sports. (April 12, 2017).
“Active Sorrow: Interview with Morehshin Allahyari.” Bad at Sports. (March 1, 2017).
Haftner, Keeley. “The Artist Responds” (opinion piece). The Argosy. Vol. 140 Iss. 22. Sackville, CA. (April 7, 2011). P. 7.
CURATORIAL PROJECTS
Collaborative Commission: entomologist Dr. Michael Cavallaro/artist Ashley Eliza Williams (2023)
Donna Collective / Sunlight in Winter / video screening / artists: Frances Alÿs/YouTube short / New York, USA (2020)
Public Access / What Is? / artists: Tammi Campbell, Felipe Steinberg, Karen Reimer, Ai Weiwei* / essays: Michael Golec, Hannah Pivo, Keeley Haftner / Chicago, USA (2017)
Public Access / Digital Dark / artists: Heather Dewey-Hagborg, !Meddiengruppe Bitnik, Damon Zucconi, Cybertwee / essay: Veronica Sines / Chicago, USA (2016)
*aka artist-run / A specific amalgam of spirit and dirt / Saskatoon, CA (2016)
Street Meet Festival / artists: Indigo (Shallom Johnson), Sirvis (Sean Fawcett), Laura Hale, Roadsworth (Peter Gibson) / Saskatoon, CA (2014)
Street Meet Festival / artists: Akos (Corey Bulpitt), Shelley Miller, Robyn Love, David LaRiviere, Dex Fernendez / Saskatoon, CA (2013)