Elmi Mata examines one's social coding through the medium of oil paint. His investigation rests on the narrative format and the discursive frame by which the subject can be analyzed. Independent studio projects have been funded by The Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation with recent publication in New American Paintings. He holds a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art ('16) and an MFA in Painting from The Tyler School of Art and Architecture ('18). Residency participation includes Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture ('19).
Exhibitions
Grounded
Apr 1 - May 13, 2023
Apple in the Dark
Feb 26 - Apr 3, 2022
Education
2019
Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
Skowhegan, ME
2018
Master of Fine Arts
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2016
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
Solo
2022
Unwavering Times
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
2020
Even When We Sleep; People Travel Through One Another
Casa Lü, Mexico City, MX
2018
Family Dollar Family Liquor
Temple Contemporary, Philadelphia, PA
2017
Marching Ahead Off-Beat
Maria Neil Art Projects, Cleveland, OH
Chasing the American Dream
Dudley and Mary Marks Lea Gallery, The University of Findlay, Findlay, OH
2016
Americanized: BFA Thesis Exhibition
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
Group
2022
Apple in the Dark
Harkawik, New York, NY
2021
Otra Casa
Casa Lü & Casa Equis, Mexico City, MX
2019
Young Painters Competition 2019
Hiestand Galleries, Miami University, Oxford, OH
2016
Arte y Vida: New and Old Worlds
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
70th Student Independent Exhibition
Reinberger Gallery, Cleveland, OH
Awards
2019
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
Montreal, QC
2016
Grand Award for Excellence in Visual Arts
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio, Westerville, OH
Future Faculty Fellowship
Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
2015
Joseph McCullough ‘48 Scholarship for Excellence in Painting
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
Francis J. Meyers ‘51 Scholarship for Excellence in Drawing
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
2012
Gund Family Scholarship
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH
Residencies
2022
Visiting Artist
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA
2021
The Macedonia Institute
Chatham, NY
2020
Casa Lü
Mexico City, MX
