BIO
Bio
Monika Plioplyte is a multi-disciplinary artist merging printmaking, sculpture, performance, and photography. Born in Lithuania, Plioplyte grew up in Boston, MA. She holds a BFA in Printmaking from Massachusetts College of Art and Design (‘12) and an MFA in Print Media from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (‘19). In her practice, Plioplyte explores the profound influence of ever changing environments on her identity. She intricately weaves existential narratives with storytelling through her physical body. With a focus on Baltic Pagan symbolism, personal rituals, female archetypes, and the uncanny; Plioplyte aims to reshape both her external and internal worlds. Drawing inspiration from her cultural mythology, immigrant experience, gender, and personal reflections on loss and resilience, Monika seeks to establish connections between private narratives and ancient folklore in her artistic practice.
Monika has exhibited at venues including Hyde Park Art Center, Boundary Space, Mana Contemporary, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois Art Museum, IL; Rare Visions, Boulder, CO; IU Northwest School of the Arts, IN; Fitchburg Art Museum, AREA Gallery, Gallery Kayafas in Boston, MA. She is a recipient of a number of awards and residencies including the Genevieve McMillan-Reba Stewart Travel Award for printmakers, Blanche E. Colman Award, Professional Development Track Grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, John W. Kurtich Foundation Travel Grant, DECASE Individual Artists Program Grant, The Center Program at Hyde Park Art Center, Harris Barron Fellowship for Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Vermont Studio Center Fellowship and Studios at MASS MoCa Residency. Plioplyte currently lives and works in Chicago, IL.
* photo by Chester Alamo-Costello