Heather Watkins’ work explores the nature and possibilities of the drawn line—both concretely and poetically. From intimately-scaled embroideries, to large sculptural fiber installations—her practice is process-driven, rooted in material investigation, and concerned with the language of abstraction. Her work takes many forms: sculpture, drawing, text-based work, printmaking, writing and artist’s books.

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Watkins’ work has been exhibited widely, at venues that include: PDX CONTEMPORARY ART, Portland, OR; the Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR; the lumber room, Portland, OR; CANADA, New York, NY; Front of House Gallery, Portland, OR; Planthouse Gallery, New York, NY; and The Art Gym, Marylhurst, OR. Her work is held in many private and public collections, including: the Portland Art Museum; the Miller Meigs Collection; Museum of Modern Art Artist’s Book Collection; Portland State University; Reed College, the Collection of Jordan D. Schnitzer; and Rhode Island School of Design Artist’s Book Collection. She has received grants from Oregon Arts Commission, The Ford Family Foundation, Regional Arts & Culture Council, and has been awarded residencies at c3:initiaive; Caldera; Sitka Center for Art & Ecology; Oregon College of Art and Craft. Watkins holds an MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and is represented by PDX CONTEMPORARY ART.

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