Deborah Dohne

Biography

Deborah Dohne defines her artistic practice as ongoing “environmental engagements” including conservation, fieldwork, activism and making visual art.

Her work investigates sustainability and the effects of climate change on the environment, fully incorporating interdisciplinary topics and research throughout the process. Her site-specific work is an experiential narrative reflecting a direct engagement with the ecology, reclamation and avian biodiversity of the location. Employing birds as subjects, Dohne deftly takes advantage of the power of art to inspire and provoke and embraces her role of ‘artist as an agent for change.’ Straddling a fine line between beauty and melancholy, the work generates both awe and concern. Material and process vary, incorporating paper, industrial waste, wood, cloth, photographs, metal, light, junk plastic, drawing, carving and printmaking. 

Various achievements include grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, Artist Trust Grant, Washington State Arts Commission and Interdisciplinary Research Group, co-leader and grant recipient; artist residencies: Sculpture Space, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Hastings College and Pilchuck Glass School; Washington Alliance for Arts Education Fellowship; GreeningUSA Community Advocacy Sustainability Award Recipient; article published in New York State Ornithological Association journal, The Kingbird; and the Levine Award for best journal article of 2019.

Education

• M.F.A., The Ohio State University
• B.F.A., Alfred University, New York State College of Ceramics