Artist Statement – ANNE MUNTGES

Artist Statement:

My process is built on obsession, an almost compulsive need to record, contain, and remake space through mark-making. Each line becomes a tether to memory, place, and the feeling of being surrounded by detail. Drawing is my way of making sense of the world; nothing I see becomes real until my pen has traced its surface.

I collect fragments of my daily life – photos, abandoned objects, and architectural detritus – like an archaeologist of the present. These remnants are translated into drawings and immersive installations that reconstruct the textures of lived experience. Over time, these drawings accumulate into larger, increasingly immersive works that blur the boundary between reality and imagined space.

Whether on paper, wood, or directly onto sculptural objects, my marks strip away color to emphasize pattern, density, and form. I use white-primed surfaces as blank stages for intricate black linework, each one shaping space into something simultaneously familiar and surreal. The final environments become interactive worlds where obsessive detail invites viewers to get lost in a landscape entirely built by hand.

Illustration Statement:

As an illustrator and printmaker, I love transforming everyday moments into detailed explorations of urban life. My work is rooted in observation and experimentation, inspired by the textures and artifacts I encounter in the city. With each drawing, I aim to layer the familiar with a sense of discovery, using intricate linework to capture the chaotic beauty of cityscapes and the hidden stories within forgotten objects.

In addition to my urban-focused pieces, I create portraits celebrating individuality and character. Whether capturing the resilience of strong women or the quiet moments that define a person’s story, my portraits are imbued with the same attention to detail and narrative depth that shape all my work.

My illustrations have been featured in publications by Harper One and Black Dog & Leventhal, as well as in national exhibitions, including my current show, Size Matters at the More Museum. This professional experience has honed my ability to create visuals that connect with diverse audiences while maintaining a distinct and cohesive artistic voice.

My work lends itself to a range of applications, from editorial storytelling and book covers to installations, collaborative projects, and personal portraits. Its detailed nature creates a sense of immersion, making it ideal for audiences seeking both beauty and depth.

Explore my portfolio below to see how I translate intricate urban narratives and personal stories into captivating visual works. I’m excited about the possibility of collaborating on projects that celebrate the art of storytelling and individuality.

Bio:

Anne Muntges (b. 1982) earned her BFA in Printmaking from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2005 and her MFA in Printmaking from the University at Buffalo in 2008. Based in Brooklyn, she focuses on highly detailed drawings, prints, and installations. Her work has been exhibited nationally at the Children’s Museum of the Arts in Manhattan, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo. Most recently, her work is featured in Monumental Drawing at the More Museum in Gorssel, NL, through Feb 2o25.
Muntges’ art is held in collections such as the California College of the Arts, the Library of Congress, the Joan Flasch Artists’ Book Collection, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Among her numerous accolades, she was awarded the NYFA/NYSCA Fellowship in 2014 and was a Sustainable Arts Finalist in 2021. Since 2010, she has participated in prestigious residencies and fellowships, including the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, BRIC, Guttenberg Arts, the Roswell Artist-in-Residence Program, and the Monira Foundation Artist Residency.