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Cicely Carew

Cicely Carew
Carew in 2018
Born1982 (1982) (age 43)
Los Angeles, California, US
EducationLesley University (MFA)
MassArt (BFA)
Known forAbstract installations
StyleMixed media
Websitecicelycarew.com

Cicely Carew (born 1982) is an American mixed-media artist in the Boston area. She is best known for her abstract installations located in museum galleries and public spaces.

Life and career

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Carew was born in Los Angeles[1] in 1982.[2] She received her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2005[3] and her MFA from Lesley University in 2020.[4] She is a painter, printmaker, and public artist specializing in abstract installations. She draws inspiration from Wangechi Mutu, Beatriz Milhazes, and Julie Mehretu. Her work is held in academic, corporate, and private collections, including those of Fidelity Investments, Simmons University, Northeastern University, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and the Cambridge Arts Council. She has also worked on commercial projects ranging from public art for Peloton stores in New York to cover art for the Boston Art Review.[1][5]

Carew has received the 2021 St. Botolph Club Foundation Emerging Artist Award, an Artful Seeds Fellowship, and a Sustainable Arts Foundation Award. In 2023, she was a recipient of the James and Audrey Foster Prize from Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art. Carew also served as the 2021–2022 artist in residence at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and taught screen printing for Lesley University.[5][6]

On October 28, 2024, the Student Government Association of Northeastern University voted to remove Carew’s "Rooted" art installation from Krentzman Quad after more than 1,870 students signed a petition arguing for its removal on the grounds that it did not fit in with the existing architecture. The art installation comprised five 15-foot-tall structures made of steel, aluminum mesh, and translucent plexiglass meant to resemble flowers. In describing the project, Carew explained that the goal of the art piece was to “inspire wonder and allow for enchantment.”[7] The installation was removed in April 2025.[8]

Carew lives in Cambridge with her son and keeps a studio in Waltham.[5]

Exhibitions

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References

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  1. ^ a b Sinclair, Jacquinn (2021-03-12). "At the Prudential Center, a new public art installation aims to inspire joy". WBUR. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  2. ^ a b "Cicely Carew: Quantum Sanctuary (October 1, 2022-January 8, 2023)". Fitchburg Art Museum. 2019-01-15. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  3. ^ Pham, Tony (n.d.). "Cicely Carew on transforming one's creative passion into a fulfilling career — and maybe sparking a bit of wonder along the way". Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  4. ^ "Visual Arts MFA". Lesley University. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  5. ^ a b c McQuaid, Cate (February 3, 2025). "'We are the seers of the unseen,' says painter, printmaker, and public artist Cicely Carew". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  6. ^ "Past Exhibitions: 2023 James and Audrey Foster Prize, Aug 24, 2023 – Jan 28, 2024". Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  7. ^ Patkin, Abby (2024-12-03). "Northeastern student gov. calls for removal of art installation said to be 'ruining' graduation photos". Boston.com. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  8. ^ Rivera, Bowen (2025-04-04). "Northeastern to remove 'Rooted' art installation by mid-April, SGA says". The Huntington News. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
  9. ^ "Newport Art Museum to open new exhibition, 'Call & Response'". What's Up Newport. 2020-10-14. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  10. ^ "What They See: Cicely Carew". Simmons University: Trustman Art Gallery. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  11. ^ Onwuamaegbu, Natachi. "Artist behind Pru installation wants everyone to 'look up'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2021-03-18.
  12. ^ Mason, Amelia (2024-05-10). "Giant flower sculptures bloom on Northeastern's campus". WBUR.org. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
  13. ^ "Cicely Carew: BeLOVEd". Fuller Craft Museum. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
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