About
STATEMENT
My intention as an artist is to design an essential exchange between my work and the viewer. I want the viewer to experience the energy and emotion present in the work and to feel seen and connected through this visual language.
In my practice, I use acrylics and ink to create color-saturated paintings. Color is a powerful tool of communication, capable of influencing mood, behavior, and even physiology. I believe this is the true import of art – to uplift us, to foster deep connection and engage us with our sense of place, our shared history, and our collective humanity.
My work is an ongoing exploration of the forces that shape us. What do we carry within us that influences our choices and defines our experience of the world… are these immutable or are we capable of change? While my creative process often begins in abstraction, it is not unusual for a portrait or landscape to emerge. I love it when this happens and trust in the infinite potential it holds.
As research continues to reveal the profound impact art has on our well-being, it is my hope that art, in all its forms, becomes more deeply integrated into our global communities. Art provides meaning, beauty, and connection, none of which we can live without.
BIOGRAPHY
Mary Lonergan is a visual artist based in Oakland, California. Born in Massachusetts, she spent her early summers at the seacoast and autumn afternoons in the forests of the White Mountains, establishing her love of nature and fascination with color.
As a young woman, Mary made her way west where she worked at various roles in media and technology companies. Always looking for a creative outlet, she found an ad for an art party in an old, abandoned warehouse in San Francisco where she and several others showed up and began painting. This was the beginning of her journey to full-time art.
While creating work in the evenings and weekends, Mary co-founded and curated an employee art program (Art Among Us) at CNET Networks, where she successfully coordinated installments of employee art. In addition, she initiated a cooperative agreement with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), procuring annual memberships for all San Francisco employees. She is a tenacious advocate for local non-profit and arts organizations including Creative Growth Art Center and Courageous Women Association / Courage House in Oakland.
Mary has been featured in several international exhibitions with OpenArtCode in London, Monaco, Florence and Paris. Her work is in private collections throughout the United States and Australia.
EXHIBITIONS
California – KYC Summit, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn 05/16/2023
Italy – Florence Biennale X 10/17/2015
California – O’Hanlon Art Center, Mill Valley 01/06/2015
France – Open Art Code, Grand Palais, Paris 12/04/2013
New York – Art Takes Times Square 06/10/2012
France – Open Art Code, Grand Palais, Paris 11/22/2011
Monaco – Open Art Code, Monte Carlo 10/07/2011
Monaco – Open Art Code, Monte Carlo 09/30/2010
United Kingdom – Open Art Code, London 06/30/2010
California – COLLECT!, Berkeley Art Center 04/10/2010
California – RED, Berkeley Art Center 12/12/2009
Italy – Florence Biennale VI 12/01/2007
California – KYC Summit, Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn
05/16/2023
Italy – Florence Biennale X
10/17/2015
California – O’Hanlon Art Center, Mill Valley
01/06/2015
France – Open Art Code, Grand Palais, Paris
12/04/2013
New York – Art Takes Times Square
06/10/2012
France – Open Art Code, Grand Palais, Paris
11/22/2011
Monaco – Open Art Code, Monte Carlo
10/07/2011
Monaco – Open Art Code, Monte Carlo
09/30/2010
United Kingdom – Open Art Code, London
06/30/2010
California – COLLECT!, Berkeley Art Center
04/10/2010
California – RED, Berkeley Art Center
12/12/2009
Italy – Florence Biennale VI
12/01/2007