WOODY CORNWELL: BIOGRAPHY
Woody Cornwell is an artist, educator and founder of Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to his career as an artist, Co-Director at Eyedrum, teaching at Atlanta College of Art and Callanwolde Fines Arts Center, Cornwell also works as an Advertising Sales Representative for Art Papers Magazine.
Cornwell studied drawing and painting at Georgia State University earning his MFA and received his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He emerged as an accomplished painter in group shows “Hypnotic Post: Atlanta Abstraction Now" at the Swan Coach House Gallery and “Coming Attractions” at Vaknin Schwarz Gallery. In May of 2003, Cornwell had his first solo exhibition in a museum setting at the inaugural opening of the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art in Jacksonville, Florida. His most recent solo show, “Woody Cornwell,” was exhibited at Suzanne Randolph Fine Art, New York City in 2005.
Cornwell’s artwork was published in New American Paintings Volume 8, #3 and he is currently represented in Atlanta by Sandler Hudson Gallery. He participates on the selection committee of the Forward Arts Foundation’s Emerging Artist Award and participated on the Board of Directors of Art Papers Magazine from May 2000 to September of 2002. Cornwell continues his efforts as a curator, promoter and organizer of exhibitions at Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery in downtown Atlanta, now in its ninth year as a non-profit organization.
Woody actively creates new pieces in his studio, working within the discipline of painting while exploring new methods and techniques to evolve his work. Collected by the Atlanta community as well as nationally, Cornwell’s abstract paintings are dramatic and sought-after by collectors.
Cornwell describes his paintings as “negotiations between what is seen and what is felt.” Characterizing abstract painting as contradictory and problematic, his paintings dramatize the “relationships between the visible and invisible, matter and ideal.” Cornwell dismantles and makes problematic what we think we see.
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION
2000 MFA, Drawing and Painting, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
1992 BFA, Painting, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA,
Magna cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2006 – 2001 Committee Member, Forward Arts Foundation’s Emerging Artist Award
2006 – 2002 Advertising Sales Executive, Art Papers Magazine, Atlanta, GA
2006 – 1998 Independent Curator
2006 – 1997 Founder and Board Director, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta, GA.
Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery is a Non-Profit 501c3-organization that exhibits local, national and international artists and musicians. www.eyedrum.org
2003 – 1999 Executive Director, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta, GA
2003 – 2001 Board Director, Public Domain
2002 – 2000 Board Director, Art Papers Magazine, Atlanta, GA
1995 – 1992 Manager, Art Works, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2005 “Woody Cornwell”, Suzanne Randolph Fine Art, New York City, NY. Solo.
2004 “Almost Positive”, Spiller Vincente, Jacksonville, FL. Solo.
“Looks Good On Paper", Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA
2003 “Woody Cornwell: New Paintings”, Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, Jacksonville, FL. Solo.
“Looks Good On Paper: Second Edition", Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA
Art Papers Annual Auction, City Hall East, Atlanta, GA
2002 “Comic Identities”, Sandler Hudson Gallery, Atlanta, GA. Solo.
“Abstract Paintings by Woody Cornwell,” Nations Bank Plaza, Barkin-Leeds, Atlanta, GA
“Looks Good On Paper", Spruill Center for the Arts, Atlanta, GA
Georgia Lawyers for the Arts Gala and Auction, Lowe Gallery, Atlanta, GA
“Repetitions,” Sandler Hudson Gallery, Atlanta, GA
“Forward Arts Foundation 2001 Emerging Artist Award,” Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA. Finalist.
2001 “Multiple Media Dimensions of Delirium”, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta
“The Big Picture-Five Abstract Painters,” Lenox Art Walk, Atlanta, GA
“Big Paintings”, A-13, Old Mattress Factory, Atlanta, GA
Art Papers Annual Auction, Soho-Myriad, Atlanta, GA
2000 “Coming Attractions”, Vaknin/Schwarz Gallery, Atlanta, GA
“Paintings by Woody Cornwell”, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery and The
Silver Ceiling, Atlanta, GA. Solo.
1999 “Hypnotic Post: Atlanta Abstraction Now", Swan Coach House Gallery, Atlanta, GA Curator Michael Pittari(Editor-in-Chief- Art Papers Magazine)
“Twelfth Annual National Art Competition", Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
Juror Donald Kuspit(Independent Critic)
“Columbus Museum Regional Juried Exhibition", Columbus Museum, Columbus, GA.
Juror Bill Bodine (Columbia Museum, SC)
1999 “Cooperstown 64th Annual National Juried Show", The Cooperstown Art Association Galleries, Cooperstown, N.Y. Juror Jenny Snider(Curator-MOMA-NYC)
“Texas National 99", Stephen F. Austin State University Gallery, Nacogdoches, TX
Juror James McGarrell(Internationally recognized Painter), catalogue.
“Positive Negative 14", Slocomb Galleries, East Tennessee State University,
Johnson City, TN. Juror Stephen C. Wicks (Curator of Collections and Exhibitions,
Knoxville Museum) Honorable Mention, catalogue.
“Twenty-Third Annual Juried Fine Arts Competition", Mills Pond House
Gallery, Smithtown Township Arts Council, St. James, New York,
Jurors: Tracey Bashkoff (Curator, Guggenheim) and Alyn Cosgrove (Director, Nardin Gallery, NY.C)
1998 “ARTstravaganza Juried Exhibition", Hunter Museum of American Art, Chattanooga, TN Juror Donald Kuspit(Independent Critic).
HONORS AND AWARDS
2003 1st Place, 2-D, Creative Arts Guild's 40th Annual Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts,
Juror: Annette Cone-Skelton(Director-MOCA GA)
2006 – 2001 Committee Member, Forward Arts Foundation’s Emerging Artist Award
2003 – 2001 Artist’s Lecture/Honorarium, “Artist Run Alternative Art Spaces”, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, Georgia (x2)
Best Alternative Art Space, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Magazine
Best Out-Jazz/Free-Improv/ Experimental Music Venue, Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Creative Loafing
2002 - 1999 Best Alternative Gallery, Critics and Readers Choice – Eyedrum Art and Music Gallery, Atlanta, GA, Creative Loafing
2000 Panelist, “Abstract Expressionism and the African Aesthetic”, City Gallery East, Atlanta, Georgia
Finalist, Forward Arts Foundation Emerging Artist Award, Atlanta, GA
Joseph Perrin Award, Funded in Honor of the School of Art and Design Director Emeritus
Artist’s Lecture/Honorarium, “Artist Run Alternative Art Spaces”, Atlanta College of Art, Atlanta, Georgia (x3)
Artist’s Lecture/Honorarium, “Artist Run Alternative Art Spaces”, Georgia State University, School of Art, Atlanta, GA
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2006
Cullum, Jerry, “Fun Figments of Folk Art”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 22.
Fox, Catherine, “Painting Holds Its Own at Eyedrum”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 2.
2005
Cullum, Jerry, “Individual, Collective Diversity Marks Artist-Organized Shows”, Atlanta Journal- Constitution, November 27.
Cullum, Jerry, “Turned On – Or Turned Off: Light Show a Bedazzling Puzzle”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 23.
Cullum, Jerry, “The Rarely Seen Come to Light”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 10.
2004
Cullum, Jerry, “Can’t Get Enough of ‘My Obsession’”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Fox, Catherine, “The Obscure Meets the Obvious”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 20.
Feaster, Felicia, “Go Figure”, Creative Loafing, May 20.
2003
Sloan, Kim, "Festival '03 a Success; Winners Named," Dalton Daily Citizen News, Sept. 28.
Zetivas, Steven, T, “The Eighth Open Studios Southern Competition”, New American Paintings, Volume 8, Number 3, July 2003, pg. 36.
Grimes, Lynnell, "Modern Makeover", Folio Weekly, May 20, pg. 76.
Marbut, Max, "Now Open – Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art," Entertaining U, May 8, pg. 8.
Church, Barbara, "Across the River and Into the Future – JMOMA", The Recorder, April 25, pg. A-22.
2002
Byrd, Cathy, “Paint Tripping”, Creative Loafing, June 19, pg. 41.
Fox, Catherine, “Abstract Painter Exploits Tension between Content and Emotion”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 7.
2001
Cullum, Jerry, “Lots Of Variations within ‘Repetition’”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 17.
Byrd, Cathy, “And So On- ‘Repetition’ Breaks the Mold for Summer Shows”, Creative Loafing, August 15, pg. 37.
Feaster, Felicia, “New Places, New Spaces – Local Art Galleries Experience a Growth Spurt”, Creative Loafing, October 10, pg 45.
Fox, Catherine, “In New Space, Eyedrum Aims for More Quirky Diversity”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 14.
Dollar, Steve, “Grass-Roots Groove- Artists, Presenters with Unusual Tastes Bring Edgy Sounds to Atlanta Scene”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 23.
Cullum, Jerry, “Hot Spots – Georgia”, Art Papers Magazine, September/October Issue
Byrd, Cathy, “Blink Of An Eye – Eyedrum Bids Old Space Farewell With Eclectic Show”, Creative Loafing, August 15.
2000
Fox, Catherine, “Multifarious Visions in a Medley of Materials”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 8.
Cullum, Jerry, “Cornwell Art Melds Intelligence, Beauty”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 19.
Byrd, Cathy, “Oscillating Abstractions”, Creative Loafing, May 13.
Hulbert, Dan, “Seven to Watch”, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 12.
Byrd, Cathy, “Eye-Popping Aesthetic”, Creative Loafing, February 12.
Grisso, Kevin, “Flaunt: Inside Atlanta’s Art Scene”, Jezebel, September.
1999
Peake, Thomas, “See, Hear, Now”, Creative Loafing, September 11, pg.78.
Byrd, Cathy, "Light Show: Eyedrum Lights the Night with Switch", Creative Loafing, March 27, pg. 40.
COLLECTIONS
Agnes Scott College, Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
Braden Fellman Group, Atlanta, GA
Neiman Marcus, Atlanta, GA
Office Worx, Atlanta, GA
Ben Apfelbaum, Atlanta, GA
Angie Asadourian, Atlanta, GA
Robert Brawner, Atlanta, GA
Lucinda Bunnen, Atlanta, GA
Scott Burland, Atlanta, GA
Bob Cain, Atlanta, GA
Ian Easton, Atlanta GA
Debbie Hudson, Atlanta, GA
Autumn Ingraham and Lein Schoe, New York, NY
Ben and Jennifer Johnson, Atlanta, GA
Suzanne Katz, Atlanta, GA
Ann Lambert and David Tracht, Atlanta, GA
Pam Longobardi, Atlanta, GA
Victoria Manley, Atlanta, GA
Peter Meeks, Atlanta, GA
Hormuz Minina, Atlanta, GA
Lee Neetles, Atlanta, GA
Fred Pearsoll, Atlanta, GA
Joanna Rolfs, Atlanta, GA
Paul Wiita, Atlanta, GA