Artist Profile Carol Hartman

Artist Statement

Heat is a seven-section artwork highlighting the environmental consequences of humanity’s neglect of nature and infrastructure. Heat reflects upon the fire devastation from droughts as a result of climate change.

Artist Biography

Born in rural Montana, Hartman draws inspiration from her surroundings. She pursued art, earning a BA from Montana State University Bozeman and an MA from California State University, Fresno. For over twenty years, her interactive electronic installations dealing with biases and prejudices, were shown from California to New York to the Chicago Arts Institute. She has also been a Gallery Director at California State University, Sacramento and Fresno, and taught Aesthetics and Criticism, and Gallery Management. Her current oil paintings have become more in-depth, focusing on environmental themes such as drought, toxic ponds, wildfires, fracking, hurricanes, and decaying infrastructure incidents, using unique hands-on painting techniques. Influenced by Anselm Kiefer, Mark Rothko, Joan Eardley, and J.M.W. Turner, her style has earned her recognition, including being Art San Diego’s Spotlight Artist in 2023 and a feature in World of Art Guggenheim. Hartman has also exhibited at the Florence Biennale and appeared in publications like International Contemporary Masters. Her large abstracts aim to engage corporations and international museums, encouraging reflection and societal change in pursuit of protecting the environment.