Artist statement:

I work mainly with traditional media such as painting, ink, and graphite. I am always drawn to the human figure and the quiet ways people express themselves. My art looks at how we interact with our surroundings and explores themes of healing, bittersweet reflection, and the ongoing search to understand ourselves.

Nature is also an important influence in my work, serving as both inspiration and metaphor. I bring natural elements into my art, using them to reflect cycles of growth, resilience, and transformation. The interaction between the human figure and organic forms allows me to explore how we both shape and are shaped by our environments.

Memory is at the heart of what I do. I am interested in how our past shapes our feelings, actions, and sense of self. In my art, I try to show the unseen weight of memory and how it shapes our self-perception and connection to the world.

I want my work to stir feelings that are both familiar and a little sad, inviting people to reflect on their own stories. I aim to show that sadness can lead to change, not just despair, and that vulnerability can help us grow and understand ourselves. In the end, I hope my art helps people feel seen and connected.

About:

Molly Doyle Sullivan was born and raised in Chicago, IL. Molly graduated from Chicago High School for the Arts. During her high school education, she participated in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's CAAP program. After that, she attended one year at the San Francisco Art Institute before moving to Minnesota, where, in 2021, she received her BFA in Fine Arts Studio from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

In her artistic practice, Molly is deeply invested in pushing the boundaries of her work, striving to create pieces that are both reflective of her own past and the curiosity to explore the human condition and its effects with time.

Beyond her studio practice, Molly has actively advocated for equitable arts education. She challenges traditional curation practices to better showcase diverse cultures, ethnicities, and marginalized gender groups, aiming to foster a more inclusive and representative art world.