Natalie Baxter

Natalie Baxter: Sculpting Identity and Challenging Conventions

Natalie Baxter (b. 1985, Lexington, KY) is an artist currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Her artistic journey began with a profound fascination for textiles and quilting traditions passed down through generations—a connection that fundamentally shaped her approach to crafting narratives within sculptural forms. This heritage instilled in her a deep understanding of craft techniques and the importance of storytelling, elements which permeate her distinctive visual language. Baxter pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, earning a BA in Studio Art in 2007. During this formative period, she honed her artistic sensibilities through intensive exploration of diverse mediums and conceptual frameworks—laying the groundwork for her subsequent MFA program at the University of Kentucky where she graduated in 2012. Her MFA coursework solidified her focus on sculptural experimentation, pushing boundaries between traditional craft methods and ambitious intellectual ideas. She meticulously studied material manipulation, incorporating repurposed fabrics and found objects into her creations to imbue them with emotional resonance and layered symbolism. Baxter’s artistic practice is driven by a resolute commitment to addressing pressing societal issues—particularly those concerning marginalized voices and challenging dominant narratives. Inspired by the cultural landscape of Appalachia, Kentucky, where she witnessed firsthand the resilience and creativity of rural communities grappling with economic hardship and social change, Baxter sought to translate these experiences into powerful visual representations. This engagement with socio-political themes informs her artistic vision, prompting reflection on representation and cultural heritage—questions that consistently resurface in her sculptural explorations. Her dedication to artistic excellence has garnered international acclaim, resulting in exhibitions at prominent venues such as Denny Dimin Gallery (New York, NY and Hong Kong), The New York Historical Society (New York, NY), Supermarket Fair (Stockholm, SE), Spring/Break Art Show (NewYork, NY), Material Art Fair (Mexico City, MX), and Institute 193 (Lexington, KY). These showcases underscore her commitment to engaging with contemporary art discourse and presenting her work to diverse audiences—further enriching the broader artistic conversation. Baxter’s residencies at institutions like the Wassaic Project, Stove Works, Vermont Studio Center, Konstepidemin in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Queens Art Fund Grant have provided invaluable opportunities for collaborative exploration and intellectual growth. Baxter's sculptures consistently confront uncomfortable truths while fostering empathy across cultural divides—a characteristic that distinguishes her work from many others of her time. Her artistic output has been recognized by respected publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Hyperallergic, The Guardian, and Bomb Magazine—establishing her as a significant voice within the contemporary art landscape. She continues to push creative boundaries, driven by an unwavering belief in sculpture’s capacity to provoke dialogue and inspire contemplation about complex questions surrounding identity and cultural heritage.

• Education: BA Fine Art, University of the South; Sewanee TN 2007
• MFA Sculpture, University of Kentucky Lexington KY 2012
• Art History Abroad Program, Syracuse FL 2005

Notable Solo Exhibitions

• Saint Kate Milwaukee WI
• International Gallery of Contemporary Art Anchorage AK
• Elijah Wheat Showroom + Intersect Sofa Chicago NY
• SPRING/BREAK New York NY
• LORIMOTO Queens NY
• NEXT TO NOTHING GALLERY New York NY
• CUNSTHAUS Tampa FL
• Elijah Wheat Showroom Brooklyn NY

Museum Exhibitions

• RAYNHAM HALL MUSEUM Oyster Bay NY
• MATTATUCK MUSEUM Waterbury CT
• MATTATUCK MUSEUM Waterbury CT
• SAMUEL DORSKY MUSEUM New Paltz NY
• DENISON MUSEUM Granville OH
• 21C MUSEUM HOTEL Louisville KY
• TORRANCE ART MUSEUM Torrance CA
• NY HISTORICAL SOCIETY New York NY

Selected Group Exhibitions

• CC DE VERVERIJ Ronse Belgium
• BLUE SPIRAL Asheville NC