Marilyn Gordley

"My intention is to paint a portrait by revealing the subliminal pattern, the individual's field. For this reason the technique, dabs and brush marks, some of the devices I use for the dissolution of the person's appearance, focuses on the essential 'life force' of the individual."

Mixed-media artist, Marilyn Gordley utilized the camera, camcorders, and computers to copy an image's topography. She digitized an image into the computer and manipulated it to produce different visual effects, searching for a meaningful perception of an object or person. Her paintings often tell the story of her life, including her unusual portraits in which the faces sometimes protrude from the canvas in a bas relief fashion. Viewers find a personal connection to her subjects, and often impose their own stories onto scenes. "My mind goes in so many ways," she said. "We all think we see the same world. I'm after the revelation of the subliminal that creates reality."

Gordley's book, titled The Art Mind, explores the influence of perception on reality. Educated at Washington University, The University of Oklahoma, and Ohio State University, she exhibited her work widely, beginning in 1959, and taught at the School of Art at East Carolina University from 1962 until 1990.

Education and Training
Washington University, BFA, St. Louis, Missouri, 1950-1954
University of Oklahoma, MFA, Norman, Oklahoma, 1956-1957
Ohio State University, Doctoral Study, Columbus, Ohio, 1957

Teachers and Influences
Fred Conway, Washington University
Paul Burlin, Washington University

Connection to Bucks County
Marilin Gordley lived with her husband, artist Tran Gordley in Plumsteadville, Bucks County.

Colleagues and Affiliations
Tran Gordley, James Feehan, Susan Roseman

Major Solo Exhibitions
East Carolina University, Greeneville, North Carolina, 1959

Selected two-person shows
QLM Associates, Princeton, New Jersey, 1993
Stover Mill Gallery, Erwinna, Pennsylvania, 1994

Selected Major Group Exhibitions:
Group Show, Madison Gallery, NY, 1963
139th Annual Exhibition and 143rd Annual Exhibition, National Academy of Design, NY, 1964, 1968
Juried Arts Third National Exhibition, Tyler, TX, 1966
64th Annual Exhibition, Laguna Gloria Art Museum, Austin, TX, 1967
Premier Exhibition, Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, MS, 1978
Southern Exposure, Hanson Gallery, New Orleans, LA, 1980
Southern Exposure, Ponder Fine Arts Center, Benedict College, Columbia, SC, 1984
Irene Leach Memorial Exhibition, Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA, 1986
31st and 32nd Springs Annual Art Show, Lancaster, SC, 1989, 1990
55th Annual Member Exhibition, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1995
2nd Annual Artsbridge Members' Show, Riverrun Gallery, Lambertville, NJ, 1996
56th Annual Members' Show, Woodmere Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1996
4th Annual New Century Exhibition, Old English Pine, Lambertville, NJ, 1997
57th Annual Members' Show, Woodmere Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1997
4th Annual Artsbridge Members' Show, Washington's Crossing, Pennsylvania, 1997
"Friends Best in Show Award," Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity Exhibition, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 2003
63rd Annual Members Exhibition, Woodmere Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2003
The Contemporary Eye, Michener Art Museum, New Hope, PA, 2005

Teaching and Professional Appointments
Art Teacher, Ladue School District, St. Louis, Missouri, 1958-1959
Associate Professor, School of Art, East Carolina University, Greeneville, North Carolina, 1962-1990

Major Awards
First Prize, Kinston Arts Festival, Kinston, North Carolina
First Prize, 16th Annual Springs Art Contest, Lancaster, South Carolina
4th Annual Central South Art Exhibitions, Parthenon, Nashville, Tennessee
Traveling Award, Spring Mills Art Contest, Lancaster, South Carolina, 1979
Traveling Award, 34th Annual North Carolina Museum Exhibition, Raleigh, North Carolina
Selected for Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition, XXII American Drawing Biennial, Norfolk Museum, Norfolk, Virginia

Affiliations and Memberships
Doylestown Art Center, Artsbridge, Woodmere Art Museum