Artist Statement
Death is an inevitable end to life, but it is not the end of influence or presence. Our genetics, material possessions, and alterations to the world continue to alter the lives of those who remain. My work is driven by an interest in the intricacies of inheritance, traumatic grief, and the formation of identity. This interest was profoundly shaped by the personal losses I have faced— losing my four grandparents and mother to illness. Their absences have led me to question not only what we leave behind but also how we carry those remnants forward.
In my practice, I investigate memory, sentimentality, and materiality. The meticulous curation of my possessions and recollections become forms of grieving, healing, and understanding. By engaging with personal objects and materials, I confront the fragile tension between the precious and the inconsequential. I ask: What makes a memory or an object significant? How do we decide what is worth holding onto, and what we can let go of? Who makes these decisions?
Through multimedia works, including fibers, altered-object sculptures, and printmaking, I explore the content embedded in material related to personal and collective stories. Fibers, which touch our bodies when we sleep, dress, eat, and bathe, are inherently intimate and essential to our existence. Sculptures created from inherited objects allow me to work with the material that once belonged to those I’ve lost, creating a physical dialogue between the past and present. Printmaking, in contrast, offers a slower, more meditative process. The design process is methodic and repetitive, and the making of a multiple compels me to sit with and contemplate a particular visual. Through these mediums, I aim to disentangle the complexities of memory, grief, and inheritance while inviting viewers to reflect on the objects and sentiments that shape their own lives.
Biography
Hannah Moulen is an artist and printmaker originally from Manassas, Virginia. Her work concentrates on material sentimentality and how genetic and physical inheritances can influence the sense of self. Moulen received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Moulen is a licensed Art Teacher for grades K-12 in the state of Virginia. She is currently working toward her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Printmaking at Ohio University (OU) in Athens, Ohio. At OU, Moulen works as the Graduate Assistant at the Kennedy Museum of Art where she plans and holds art workshops for the community, plans instructional programming for local public schools and OU courses, works to assist in curating and designing exhibitions, and serves as an educational tour guide at the museum. She and her colleague, Alexandra Long, are currently curating an exhibition for the Kennedy Museum of Art from their collections entitled, Stories from the Space In Between, scheduled to open in June 2025. Moulen also works as an Instructor of Record for the OU College of Fine Arts, teaching courses such as Function + Practice, Description + Drawing, and Screenprint. Due to her explorations throughout her MFA program, Moulen’s work has become interdisciplinary, now including sculpture, screenprinting, woodworking, and fibers. Her work has been featured in many exchange portfolios, exhibitions, and permanent collections at OU and JMU. Her MFA exhibition, for the sake of keeping, is scheduled for the end of April, and she is anticipated to graduate in May of 2025.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
2025, Master of Fine Art in Printmaking, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
- anticipated graduation date: May 2025
2021, Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
- Concentration in Printmaking. Minor in Book Arts. K-12 Art Education Licensure Program.
Solo Exhibitions
2025, for the sake of keeping, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Trisolini Gallery. Athens, OH.
2024, crowded collections, Solo Exhibition, Atrium Gallery. Marietta, OH.
Selected Exhibitions
2023, …And Still Was, Second-Year MFA Exhibition, Ohio University Art Gallery. Athens, OH.
2023, Drift, MFA & Graduate Alumni in Printmaking Exhibition, ArtsWest Gallery. Athens, OH.
2023, Upcycled Art Show, Curated Group Exhibition, Majestic Gallery. Nelsonville, OH.
2023, As Is, First-Year MFA Exhibition, Ohio University Art Gallery. Athens, OH.
2022, Ripple, MFA & BFA Printmaking Exhibition, ArtsWest Gallery. Athens, OH.
2019-2020, Annual Student Print Exhibition, Traveling print portfolio. Virginia.
2019, Kappa Pi Member Exhibition, BFA Exhibition, Clementine Cafe, Harrisonburg, VA.
2018, Student Study Abroad Show, Artworks Gallery. Harrisonburg, VA.
Print Exchanges & Portfolios
2024, Ohio Museum Complex ATBI Print Exchange
2024, Southern Graphics Council International Member Print Exchange
2023, Emerald Print Exchange
2023, FUN! Print Exchange
2023, Itty Bitty Print Exchange
2022, Recipe Card Print Exchange
Scholarships & Awards
2022-2025, MFA Full Tuition Waiver, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2022-2025, MFA Full Stipend Scholarship, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2024, Named Fellowship, COFA Nomination, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2024, Graduate/ HCOM Travel Award, Received for Study Abroad, Ohio University. Canada: Walking Studio in Montréal, Québec, Canada.
2023, Graduate College/ Graduate Student Senate Summer Travel Award, Received for Summer Workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle, ME.
2021, Senior Achievement Award in Printmaking, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
Commissions
2024, Chaddock + Morrow Renaming Celebration- Tote Bags, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2023, 220th Founder’s Day- Tote Bags. Live printed. Walter Hall, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2022-2023, Welcome Weekend Printing. Seigfred Hall, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Teaching & Shop Experience
2025, Visiting Artist, Marietta College. Marietta, OH.
2024-2025, Instructor-of-Record, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
- ART 2430, Screenprint
- ART 1210, Function + Practice
- ART 1200, Description + Drawing
2022-2023, Teaching Assistant, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
- ART 2420, Etching & Relief (Zoë Couvillion & Tyler Thenikl)
- ART 2430, Screen & Paper (Abigail Formo-Schneider)
2022-2023, Shop Manager, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
- Etching & Relief
- Screenprint
- Papermaking
2019-2022, Substitute Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools. Woodbridge, VA.
2021, Student Teacher, Prince William County Schools. Woodbridge, VA.
- Art I, Art II, Art III, & AP Art. Woodbridge Senior High School.
- 6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Art. Fred Lynn Middle School.
2019-2022, Studio/ Shop Assistant, Printmaking: Screenprint, Relief & Intaglio, & Lithography. James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
2019-2022, K-12 Practicum, Harrisonburg, VA & Stuart’s Draft, VA.
- 7th & 8th grade STEM with integrated art lessons.
- 6th, 7th, & 8th grade Art. Stuart’s Draft Middle School.
- Pre-Kindergarten – 5th Grade Art
2019-2022, Madison Advising Peer, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
Museum Experience
2022-2025, Graduate Assistant to the Curator of Education, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Curation
Stories from the Spaces In Between, 2025, Co-curated with Alex Long, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
At/On the Table, 2023-2024, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Centering Black Artists, 2023-2024, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
CONVERSATIONS…, 2023, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Gallery Talks
Pairings in Pairings: CAM Paintings and KMA Prints, 2025, Alongside Tyler Thenikl, Alex Long, and Jeff Carr, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Educational Programming
Stories from the Spaces In Between, 2025, Co-curated with Alex Long, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Pairings: CAM Paintings and KMA Prints, 2025, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Self Adjacent, 2024-2025, Traveling exhibition, Guest curated by Sarah Irvin and Tracy Stonestreet, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
what makes a river?, 2024-2025, Curated by Graduate Assistant: Aubrey jo Blue, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Merging Concepts: In These Moments, 2024, Curated by Museum Studies students, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
At/On the Table, 2023-2024, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Centering Black Artists, 2023-2024, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
In Hand: Contemporary Material Engagements with the Built World, 2023-2024, Guest curated by Sam Dodd and Kate Hampel, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Merging Concepts IX: Then and Again, 2023, Curated by Museum Studies students, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
In Tribute, 2023, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Gesture of the Still Image, 2023, Curated by Graduate Assistant: Ashley Kouri, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
CONVERSATIONS…, 2023, Curated by Kennedy Museum staff and student staff, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Yellow Dirt, 2023, Guest artist exhibition, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Community Open Studios
Tiny Quilt Studio, 2025, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Basket Weaving Studio, 2024, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Tin Punching Studio, 2024, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Mold Making Studio, 2024, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Kitchen Lithography Studio, 2024, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Hand Pressed Souvenirs Walk, 2023, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Modeling Clay Studio, 2023, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Zines: Accordions or Pamphlets Studio, 2023, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Papermaking Studio, 2023, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
5-Hole Pamphlet Bookmaking Studio, 2023, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Plexiglass Monotype Printing Studio, 2022, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Scratch-Foam Relief Printing Studio, 2022, Kennedy Museum of Art, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
Leadership Experience
2024-2025, Treasurer of Bobcat Print Club, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2023-2024, President of Bobcat Print Club, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2023, Curator & Organizer of Second-Year MFA Exhibition, …And Still Was, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2020-2021, NAEA Madison Chapter President, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
2020-2021, Kappa Pi National Art Fraternity Treasurer, James Madison University. Harrisonburg, VA.
Workshops & Study Aboard
2024, Cold Connections Galore! Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Gaitlinburg, TN.
2024, Nitty Gritty Letterpress, Maine Media Workshops + College. Rockport, ME.
2024, Canada: The Walking Studio Montréal, Study abroad, Ohio University. Montréal, Québec, Canada.
2023, Screenprint Demo City! Graphics Workshop with John Hitchcock, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Deer Isle, ME.
2022, DIY Rollers, Roller-making workshop with Ross Mazzupappa, Ohio University. Athens, OH.
2018, Painting & Drawing in Southern France, Study abroad, James Madison University. Auvillar, France & Collioure, France.
Publications
2024, Shoutout Ohio Magazine, https://shoutoutohio.com/meet-hannah-moulen-artist-printmaker/
Professional Memberships
2022-2025, Southern Graphics Council International
2022-2025, Mid-America Print Council
2022-2025, Bobcat Print Club
2019-2021, National Art Education Association
2019-2021, Virginia Art Honors Association
2019-2021, Kappa Pi Art Honors Fraternity