bio
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Brooke Gettman is an artist and designer from Lincoln, Nebraska. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Concordia University, Nebraska in 2020. Gettman has most recently exhibited at Norfolk Arts Center (Norfolk, NE), Northwest Arts Center (Minot, ND), and Bemis Center for Contemporary Art (Omaha, NE). She is presently a full time art instructor at Live Yes Studios, a nonprofit art studio that serves adults with disabilities.


art statement
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My concern and compassion for humanity is a fundamental value that drives my work as an artist and draws forth my deep interest in the complexity of the human condition. I primarily create representational drawings of objects that are intended to serve as metaphors for my understanding of the human condition. I use my personal experiences, observations, and evaluations to further explore themes of social acceptance and addiction. It is natural for me to bridge back and forth between drawing and digital collage. The drawings I create typically begin as digital sketches, and the digital collages I make are largely comprised of textures I’ve drawn, then scanned to manipulate digitally with photographic material. I am interested in the relationship between physical space versus digital space. I feel that the physicality of drawing creates closeness, whereas digital work, even when printed or projected, creates distance due to its flatness and lack of tangibility. It is interesting to me to merge this duality when developing concepts related to humanity. The medium I choose to use within a specific body of work is often based upon the sensibility that I’m seeking to evoke: one of vulnerability and closeness, or one of detachment and distance.

design statement
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I believe design functions best when it is rooted in thoughtfulness, not solely visual appearance. For this reason, my approach to design begins with understanding the creative needs of my client. I first strive to gain insight into my clients' identity, purpose, and goals. This allows me to use design as a tool to communicate those needs in a way that is informed and intentional. The many possibilities for a design solution is something that excites me and energizes me; I enjoy the process of problem solving a design and working through multiple iterations and ideas until finding the most effective solution.