Monica Petty Aiello, Ionian Garden II (detail), 2008,
Acrylic, ink, and fiber on panel, Courtesy of the artist
Monica Petty Aiello:
Frozen / Inferno
Seagraves Gallery
Listen to the artist discuss her work in an audio slideshow >>
The geology of Jupiter’s moons Europa and Io inform Denver artist Monica Petty Aiello’s Frozen/Inferno as well as her dialogues with noted space scientists involved with the Voyager, Galileo, Cassini and New Horizons missions. Aiello’s paintings are composed of layer upon layer of mixed-media - constructed like strata to emulate the moons’ geomorphology. She uses acrylic, paper, ink, gel, fiber, heat, air, gravity and water in attempts to convey and contrast their fascinating terrain.
"More than just representing the visual landscape, I’m interested in letting the geology inform how I make the work. In this regard, I research the evolution of the worlds I’m addressing and develop specific techniques to mimic their geologic history."
— Monica Petty Aiello
Lecture by Monica Petty Aiello Feb. 13 | Art Class taught by Monica Petty Aiello Jan. 30 - March 13
Born in Houston, Texas in 1971, Monica Petty Aiello grew up in a family of mathematicians and computer scientists, and her first love was that of astronomy and physics. In high school, she developed an interest in textiles and apparel and graduated early to attend the University of Texas at the age of 16 to study business and fashion design. After graduating, she moved to New York City where she worked as a publicist in the music industry before shifting her focus to pursue her own creative work.
Monica and her husband, Tyler Aiello, renovated warehouses in Denver's Rino Arts District to open the contemporary gallery Studio Aiello and the TarFactory, a sculpture and fabrication facility for area working artists. Aiello continues to live in Denver, and her work appears in numerous private and corporate collections nationwide.
More at tandmaiello.com.
