BIOGRAPHY

Ledy is best recognized for her works on paper. They can be found in the permanent collections at the Arkansas Art Center, Baltimore Museum of Art, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, the Fogg Art Museum, the Hood Museum of Art, Krannert Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, the National Gallery of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design, San Diego Museum of Art, University of Minnesota, Walker Art Center, Weatherspoon Art Museum, and Yale University Art Museum.

In 1990, Ann Ledy began a new body of works on paper, a development linked to her book pieces of the 1980’s, which explored the physical experience of viewing and reading in relation to memory. Ledy was fascinated by the idea of the book as an object-in-succession. She has compared the effects of visual memory in this context to ‘afterimages’ that ‘mark time’. The works in this [A New York Drawing Collection at Work] exhibition represent the next step in the evolution of Ledy’s practice, when she began to assemble pages in unbound groupings, utilizing two geometric forms – the circle and the square – as the basis of her compositional matrix. Marks added to this matrix came from personal resources, such as the artist’s experience of time as evidenced in the shapes and trajectories of shadows… (560 Broadway A New York Drawing Collection at Work, 1991-2006. Chapter: “Exhibitions at the Fifth Flour Foundation”, Amy Eshoo, Editor, P. 36.)

This excerpt was taken from an exhibition catalog showcasing the collected works of Sally and Werner Kramarsky. The Kramarsky’s are recognized for their significant collection of works on paper, in particular of minimalist and post-minimalist artists. Ledy’s early works on paper were collected throughout the ‘90’s and exhibited by the Kramarsky’s.

The elemental geometry of the circle and the square continues to inform Ledy’s visual vocabulary. An underlying grid typically grounds her work. Light and shadow are key considerations. Today, Ledy continues to create works on paper using vellum, graphite and water-based mediums. Ledy began to make wall reliefs in 2013 inspired by her collaged painted photographs of her aluminum sculptures. Ledy also continues to experiment with other mediums, such as glass and wood as paint surfaces.

Conceptually, Ledy thinks about and reinterprets the folding of time, space, and place in all her work. She is fascinated by the notion of memory as something that one brings forward and continually reexamines. Ledy’s skill base and deep appreciation for process and precision is in part a consequence of growing up and working within a family-owned industrial business in the mid-west.

Ledy has found inspiration in the world she has traveled and documented. She has a particular passion for modernist architecture; urban and garden hardscapes. The influence of the Japanese gardens of Kyoto, Japan, and by contrast, the street grids of New York City, are made evident in many of her works on paper. Ledy maintained a studio in New York City for four decades. Today, Ledy lives and works in Millbrook, New York.

Academic posts include: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY, and the College of Visual Arts, Saint Paul, MN.

Ledy received her MFA in painting from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY; and her BFA in painting from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

COLLECTIONS

Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, Arkansas

Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore, Maryland

Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas

Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, Maine

Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Contemporary Art in Seoul, CAIS, Seoul, Korea

First National Bank of Saint Paul, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Four Seasons Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Honeywell Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

Kramarsky, Werner, New York, New York

Kramer Associates, St. Paul, Minnesota

Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Museum of Modern Art, New York, New York

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Northwestern National Life Insurance, Minneapolis, Minnesota

R.K. Associates, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode Island, Massachusetts

San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, California

Sussman, B., Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Weatherspoon Art Museum, Greensboro, North Carolina

Yale University Art Museum, New Haven, Connecticut

  • SOLO & TWO PERSON EXHIBITIONS

    2018 Ann Ledy/Teo Nguyen, The Mill Yard Art at Stonebridge Lofts, Minneapolis, MN

    2016 Ann Ledy/Ellen Richman, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2004 OK Harris Gallery, New York, NY

    2002 New Arts Program Gallery, Kutztown, PA Northampton Community College, Northampton, PA

    2001 Stark Gallery, New York, NY

    1999 A.D. & D. Gallery, Hudson, NY Ann Ledy/Gerry Griffin, Lynn Mayhew Gallery, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio

    1998 C.A.I.S. Gallery, Seoul, Korea A.I.R. Gallery II, New York, NY

    1996 Gallery Nine, Seoul, Korea Andrea Bergmann Gallery, Drensteinfurt, Germany

    1993 Fifth Floor Foundation, New York, NY

    1992 Jamison/Thomas Gallery, New York, NY

    1976 West Lake Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    1974 Coffman Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

    1973 Rowser Gallery, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

    SELECT EXHIBITIONS

    2022 “deep freeze, small works”, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional Exhibition, Opalka Gallery, Albany, NY Drawing Challenge XVIII, XIX, XX, Jason McCoy Gallery, New York, NY “lately ii”, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN “[myriad] small works”, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2020 “Lately”, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2019 “NOUVEAU”, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2018 Winter Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2017 Winter Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Summer Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2016 Winter Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Summer Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2015 Winter Salon, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Summer Salon I & II, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Summer Invitational, Groveland Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2014 Winter Salon I & II,” Circa Gallery, Minneapolis, MN “From Beyond the Window,” Nash Gallery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN “Art = Text = Art,” UB Anderson Gallery, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY

    2013 “Art = Text = Art,” The Hafnarfjordur Centre of Cultre of Culture and Fine Art, Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

    2012 “Art = Text = Art,” Zimmerli Art Museum, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

    2011 “Art = Text = Art,” Hamet Museum of Art, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA

    2009 “Spatial Gestures: New Acquisitions, 2006-2008,” San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA “Nueva York. El papel de las ultimas vanguardias,” Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Esteban Vicente, Segovia, Spain

    2008 “Dimensions in Nature: New Acquisitions, 2006-2008,” San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, CA

    2007 “What is a Line? Drawings from the Collection,” Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, CT

    2005 “Looking Back & Moving Forward: Success in the Making,” University of Minnesota Alumni Invitational, Katherine Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    2003 “Fine Lines,” Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum, Santa Barbara, CA

    2002 “25th Anniversary Benefit Selections Exhibition,” Drawing Center, New York, NY “Generations III,” A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY

    2001 “Finely Drawn: A Recent Gift of Contemporary Drawings,” Weatherspoon Art Museum, University of North Carolina at Greensboro “Line to Light,” Collaborative Concepts Gallery, Beacon, NY “Line & Shadow,” Kiang Gallery, Atlanta, GA

    2000 “Small size – mixed,” Kjubh-Kunstvarein, Cologne, Germany “Generations II," A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY

    1999 Group Exhibition of New York Artists, A.D.D Gallery, Hudson, NY

    1998-01 "Drawing is another kind of language," Traveling museum exhibitin: Cambridge, Massachusetts; Winterthur, Switzerland; Ahlen & Berlin, Germany; Amiens, France; Southampton, New York; Evanston, Illinois and Honolulu, Hawaii

    1998 "Small Works Five," P.S.D.X. Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

    1997 "Drawing is another kind of language," Sackler Museum, Cambridge, Mass. "50th Anniversary," A.I.R. Gallery, New York, NY "Off the Wall," Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, NY

    1996 "Thin Air: Examining the Ethereal," Elsa Mott Ives Gallery, New York, NY "Small Scale," Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, NY "Summer Pleasures, Summer Treasures," Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, NY "Salon," Room Gallery, New York, NY "Small Works Four," P.S.D.X. Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

    1995 "Works on Paper," Art in Construction, New York, NY "Four Artists Works on Paper," E.S. Vandam Gallery, New York, NY "Minimal Optimal," Elga Wimmer Gallery, New York, NY

    1994 "Small Works Three," P.S.D.X. Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

    1993 "Cadavre Exquis," Drawing Center, New York, NY "A-Z, 0-9," E.S. Vandam Gallery, New York, NY

    1992 "Cross Currents: Four New York Artists," Jamison/Thomas Gallery, Portland, OR "Drawings," Benefit Exhibition, Stark Gallery, New York, NY "Small Works Two," P.S.D.X. Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

    1991 "Intimate Relations," Jamison/Thomas Gallery, New York, NY "Drawings," Lorence/Monk Gallery, New York, NY

    1991 "Works on Paper," Stark Gallery, New York, NY

    1990 "Unique Works on Paper," Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY

    1990 Group Exhibition, Jaffe Baker Gallery, Boca Raton, FL "Small Works One," P.S.D.X. Gallery, Parsons School of Design, New York, NY

    1989 "Installation," Swanke Hayden Connell Architects, New York, NY

    1988 Group Exhibition, Elaine Benson Gallery, Bridge Hampton, NY

    1985 "Selections 31," Drawing Center, New York, NY

    1985 "Mirrors," East Hampton Center Contemporary Arts, East Hampton, NY "Ten Downtown," Michael Katz Gallery, New York, NY "Power of Instinct," Michael Katz Gallery, New York, NY

    1984 Group Exhibition, Nolo Contendre Gallery, New York, NY

    1983 Group Exhibition, Peter M. David Gallery, Minneapolis, MN

    1982 "Pinko," Dés Refuses at Westbeth Artists Space, New York, NY

    REVIEWS & PUBLICATIONS

    2021 Mohawk Hudson Regional

    2021, exhibition catalog.

    2016 Mary Abbe, “seeworthy,” Ann Ledy/Ellen Richman, Circa Gallery, Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 1, 2016.

    2013 “Regarding the Forces of Nature: From Alma Thomas to Yayoi Kusama,” https://www.bowdoin.edu/art-museum/exhibitions/2013/forces-of-nature.shtml.

    2012 About Drawing and the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, ART=TEXT=ART, online exhibition catalogue at http://www.artequalstext.com, September 2012.

    2009 Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Esteban Vicente and The Fifth Floor Foundation, NEW YORK NEW DRAWINGS 1946 – 2007, Catalog, Junta de Castilla y Leon, The Harriet and Esteban Vicente Foundation, Segovia, Spain, 2009. References to artwork: pp. 158 – 161. Ann Ledy, “Experiencing Mary McDonnell’s Work,” p. 184. Ann Ledy, “Reflections,” p. 258. Karen Schiff, “Letter from Segovia,” The Brooklyn Rail, Artseen, May 2009. Ann Ledy, “Art Inspires,” ARTS The Minneapolis Institute of Arts Magazine for Members, January/February 2009.

    2008 Hannah Dentinger, “Visual Arts: Ann Ledy, St. Paul native and Parsons School luminary, takes the helm at CVA,” Twin Cities Daily Planet, December 2008. Hannah Dentinger, “MNARTIST.org: A marriage of art and scholarship, https;//www.minnpost.com/perspectives/2008/12/mnartistorg-marriage-art-and-scholarship.

    2007 Amy Eshoo, Ed., 560 Broadway: A New York Drawing Collection at Work, 1991-2006, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2008, pp.24-25,36-37.

    2005 Mary Abbe, “Good Vibes at the ‘U’,” Star Tribune, January 21, 2005, p. E18.

    2004 Roberta Fallon, “How drawings make it into museum collections,” the artblog, May 21, 2004. Regina Hackett, “FINE LINES: DRAWINGS FROM THE COLLECTION OF WYNN KRAMARSKY,” Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum, http://gregkucera.com/turner_reviews.htm, December 2, 2004. Artnet News, MORE KRAMARSKY DRAWINGS FOR MOMA, http://www.artnet.com/Magazine/news/artnetnews/artnetnews5-20-04. Roberta, “How drawings make it into museum collections,” http://www.theartblog.org/2004/05, May 21,2004.

    2003 Park Soo-mee, “Permanent Collection,” Contemporary Art in Seoul, CAIS, INSIDE Korea Joong Ang Daily, August 15, 2003. Victor M. Cassidy, “Prairie Smoke,”http://www2.artinet.com/, October 24, 2003. R.I. Hallenbeck, “Passionate Digression,” The Independent, April 11, 2003,pp.20, 40. James Carroll, “Geometric Abstraction. Panel: Les Flecther, Ann Ledy, Bill Zimmer,” (Transcription) New Arts Alive, BCTV Channel, PA & Channel 34, NYC, January 14, 2003.

    2002 Ron Schira, “The transitory nature of perception,” Reading Eagle, April 8, 2002, UK. Geoff Gehman, “Minimal Mysteries,” The Morning Call, http://articles.mcall.com, April 11, 2002.

    2001 Virginia Wageman, “Language of drawings speaks of minimalism,” Honoluluadvertiser.com, May 6, 2001. James Carroll, “A Conversation with Ann Ledy.” (Transcription) New Arts Alive, BCTV Channel, PA & Channel 34, NYC, July 10, 2001 Catherine Fox, “The eloquence of line,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 27, 2001, p. Q8.

    2000 Von Jürgen Kisters, “Simple and Complex,” Cologne City News, March 24, 2000, p.17.

    1999 Erica-Lynn Huberty, "Parrish Exhibit Focuses on Art of Drawing", The Southampton Press, October 7, 1999, B1& B2. Hilarie M. Sheets, "The Syntax of Drawing, From Old and New Alike,” Newsday, October 1, 1999, pp. B1-4. Von Ingeborg Ruthe, "Der Blick auf und hinter die Dinge," Berliner Zeitung, February 20, 1999, Number 43. Meg Holzer, “Aldrich Museum, Collecting 101,” Fairfield County Business Journal, August 16,1999, p. 21. Jeanette Fintz, “Ledy’s Sculptures,” Hudson Valley News, October 1,1999, p. A10.

    1997 Harvard University, Drawing is another kind of language: Recent American Drawings from a New York Private Collection, Catalog, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1997, pp. 106-109.

    1996 Roger Shepherd, “Ann Ledy,” Exhibition catalog published by Gallery Art & Language Andrea Bergmann, Drensteinfurt, 1996.

    1994 Paul Cummings, "Interview: Werner Kramarsky Talks with Paul Cummings," Drawing (The International Review published by the Drawing Society), May-June 1994, Vol. XVI, No. I, pp. 5-8.

    1992 Robert Knafo, "Kramarsky Offers Port in a Storm," Art and Auction, November 1992, pp. 56 & 58.

    1990 Helen Dudar, "The Unknown Artisits' Best Friend," Connoisseur, Sept 1990,pp.96-99.

    1985 Harrison, Helen, "Self-portraits: 36 Artists Investigate the Inner Self," The New York Times (Long Island ed.), December 1, 1985, p.42.

    1985 Falco, Jody, "Making it in Manhattan. Three Artists' Approach," Manhattan Arts, November 1985, p.5.

    1978 Hegeman, William, "Juror tries for Balance in State Art Awards," Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 10, 1978, p.8.

    ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS

    2004 – 2012 College of Visual Arts, St. Paul, MN

    1980 – 2004 Parsons School of Design, New York, New York

    1977 – 1980 Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

    ACADEMIC DEGREES

    M.F.A., Painting. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

    B.F.A., Painting. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota