Marla Roddy was born and raised in Johnstown, PA. She holds an MFA from Indiana University and a BFA in Sculpture and BA in Art History from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Marla is the Assistant Registrar for Exhibitions at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields and is a studio member at Beech Grove Clay Works. Her work has been exhibited throughout the U.S. and is in the collection of the Centre Pompidou, Paris.
Artist Style: Visual: Collage, Conceptual, Contemporary, Figurative, Symbolic
Artist Medium: Visual Arts: Clay, Collage, Fiber/Fabric, Mixed Media, Steel, Textile, Wood
My sculptural practice explores and obsesses over the real and imagined worries that accompany the role of women as caregivers and emotional laborers. The anxiety and neuroses that surround personal health anxiety and rumination on my role in familial relationships inform my sculptural work. The physical manifestation of these internal thoughts and feelings often involves articles of clothing or other domestic textiles from family members and hair to create an intimate connection. Ritualistic processes, like sewing and wrapping, act as a form of meditation and mourning to work within and through these emotions.
In addition to my sculptural practice, I create small ceramic objects by slip casting and hand building, that offer a whimsical counterbalance to the more emotionally taxing work. These ceramic sculptures are often made using molds of doll heads and parts, including series of tiny baby head cups and tattooed ladies.
2012 – Indiana University – MFA Sculpture
2009 – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania – BFA Sculpture, BA Art History
Beech Grove Clay Works
