Angela Purviance

Angela Purviance is known for her vibrant color intaglio prints, which generally feature children in narratives that could be described as magical realism. She explains, “Childhood is when we form our views of the world, relationships, and of ourselves. The impact of those beliefs carries over onto the next generation, influencing the relationships between one generation and the next. Most of the time this is a harmless effect, even beneficial. Words or events, both positive and negative, can shape our idea of who we are, of our strengths and weaknesses, impacting us for years. Exploring the relationship between events and beliefs formed in one childhood, and it’s trickling down through the generations, is an idea that has stuck, and though it takes many shapes (from climate change to emotional abuse), forms the core of my artistic content and influences the bulk of my work.”
 
Another recurring theme in Angela’s work is the environment. She worked for a while in wildlife rehabilitation, and much of her imagery references our impact on the natural world. Most of her narrative are set in landscapes with protagonists engaging with nature in some way.  
 
Angela studied art at Maryland Institute, College of Art and Middle Tennessee State University and for over ten years was an elementary art instructor. Her observations of the children she taught, and recollections of her own childhood informed her later work. She established printmaking as her main medium after returning to college as a mature student.
 
In 2016 she attained a BFA in Fine Arts from Oregon State University, study printmaking. She studied with renowned printmaker Yuji Hiratsuka. While a student she was awarded the Norma Seibert Excellence in Printmaking Award and Weatherford Scholarship in 2015, and in 2016 the OSU Liberal Arts, Outstanding Senior Award and Excellence in Printmaking Award in the Nebraska National Undergraduate Juried Art Exhibition.

Working with Professor Yuji Hiratsuka at Oregon State University had a profound impact on her choice of medium. She found herself drawn to the technical and artistic challenges of color copperplate etching. She sees her continued experimentation in intaglio printmaking as an adventure, being both intellectually and artistically challenging. In addition to being a practicing artist Angela is the Assistant Director & MU Assistant Curator at Oregon State University Craft Center.

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