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About

Shanna Waddell (b. 1981, Long Beach, CA.) is a Los Angeles based painter. She received an MFA in Drawing and Painting, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, and a BFA in Drawing and Painting, California State University, Long Beach. She was an artist in Residence at Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito, CA; Selected solo exhibitions include Micki Meng, San Francisco, CA; Spurs Gallery, Beijing, China; Jack Barrett Gallery, NY; M+B Gallery, LA; Thomas Erben Gallery, NY; Selected group shows include University of the Arts, Philadelphia; BOZOMAG, LA; Torrance art Museum; Harkawik, New York, NY; and Vielmetter Los Angeles,CA.

Rooted in an ethics of care, s/heness society, for Shanna Waddell is an alternate way of living, one that is based on caring for nature and the land as well as each other. In contrast to the extensive historical example of a masculinist structure of governance, the members of s/heness society have put into practice a community that embraces a collective spirit and collaboration. In Waddell’s aestheticism, beauty is underscored as an apparatus for propelling us beyond hegemonic modes of thought. For Waddell, the project of world-building is both seriously playful and utterly imperative. This artist commune is both an exercise in imagination and also a contemplation in dialogue with models of art history and art-making. Waddell absorbs and adapts the primarily masculine modes of painting with pure freedom and interjects her spirit with a creative fearless feminine fortitude.

Selected Works

This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness Stands Amongst Sunflowers." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 18 ¹⁄₂" x 11" x 11" [HxWxD] (46.99 x 27.94 x 27.94 cm). Its medium is Ceramic, Underglaze.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness Stands Amongst Sunflowers,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "She is a Rose of Sharon." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 67" x 57" [HxW] (170.18 x 144.78 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.
Shanna Waddell
“She is a Rose of Sharon,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness Paints their Summer Garden." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 18" x 14" [HxW] (45.72 x 35.56 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness Paints their Summer Garden,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness walks the lands of Sheness Society." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 15 ³⁄₈" x 10 ⁵⁄₈" x 10 ⁵⁄₈" [HxWxD] (39.07 x 27 x 27 cm). Its medium is Ceramic, Underglaze.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness walks the lands of Sheness Society,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness Paints Flowers in a Vase." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 12" x 9" [HxW] (30.48 x 22.86 cm). Its medium is Oil on linen.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness Paints Flowers in a Vase,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness Society Dreams in Clay." This artwork was created in 2024-2025 and measures 17" x 10" x 9 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (43.18 x 25.4 x 24.13 cm). Its medium is Ceramic, Underglaze.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness Society Dreams in Clay,” 2024-2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "Sheness Dreams of Fruits and Flowers." This artwork was created in 2025 and measures 15" x 12" x 12" [HxWxD] (38.1 x 30.48 x 30.48 cm). Its medium is Ceramic, Underglaze.
Shanna Waddell
“Sheness Dreams of Fruits and Flowers,” 2025
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "where s/heness society lives VI." This artwork was created in 2023 and measures 67 ¹⁄₈" x 90 ¹⁄₈" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (170.49 x 228.91 x 3.81 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.
Shanna Waddell
“where s/heness society lives VI,” 2023
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "s/heness floral still life." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 24" x 18" x 1" [HxWxD] (60.96 x 45.72 x 2.54 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.
Shanna Waddell
“s/heness floral still life,” 2022
This image depicts an artwork by Shanna Waddell titled "s/heness society floral still life." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 53" x 42 ¹⁄₂" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (134.62 x 107.95 x 3.81 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.
Shanna Waddell
“s/heness society floral still life,” 2022
2010
MFA Drawing and Painting, Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
2006
BFA Drawing and Painting, California State University, Long Beach, CA

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2026
Solo Exhibition, Vielmetter Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (forthcoming)
2024
"Chapter Two: the greenhouses of s/heness society," Friends Indeed, San Francisco, CA
2023
"Chapter One: where s/heness society lives …," Spurs Gallery, Beijing, China
"Preface: she is s/heness society," Jack Barrett Galley, New York, NY
Fog Design and Art Fair, Friend Indeed, San Francisco, CA
2022
"BOZOMAG," with Conrad Ruiz, Platform, David Zwirner (online)
"Shanna Waddell: an introduction to s/heness society," M+B, Los Angeles, CA
2017
"VRSONYVR," Curated by Hannah Boone, Galerie La Croix, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
2016
"Good Luck Charm, Cameron Crone and Shanna Waddell," Curated by Alida Barden, Ms. Barbers, Los Angeles, CA
2014
"( it's like ) roadside stuffed animals," Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, NY
2013
"The Search for Dipravoslaviye: Shanna Waddell and Rob Matthews," Curated by Rubens Ghenov, Tiger Strikes Astroid, Philadelphia, PA
2011
"Misshapen Chaos of Well-seeming Forms!" Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, NY

Selected Fair and Group Exhibitions

2026
"Tonia Calderon, Alec Egan, and Shanna Waddell," Frieze Los Angeles with Vielmetter Los Angeles, Santa Monica Aiport, Santa Monica, CA
2025
"Andrea Bowers and Shanna Waddell," Independent Fair with Vielmetter Los Angeles, New York, NY
2024
"Serendipity," curated by Guiyan He, Riverside Art Centre, Chongqing, China
"7th Annual BOZO MAG Family Hoedown," BOZO Pasadena, Los Angeles, CA
Westbund Art Fair, SPURS Gallery, Shanghi, China
Art SG, SPURS Gallery, Singapore
2023
"Untitled," PM/AM Gallery, Miami, FL
"Descendants," K11 Art Foundation, Hong Kong, China
"Walk Against the Wind, "Micki Meng, Parker Gallery, New York, NY
Taipei Dangdai Fair, SPURS Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
Expo Chicago Fair, Micki Meng, Chicago, IL
2022
Galerie Hussenot, Curated by James Bolton, Paris, France
"Symbiosis," Berkshire Botanical Garden, Curated by Beth Rudin De-Woody, Stockbridge, MA
"Apple in the Dark," Harkawik, New York, NY
"BOZO FAMILY HOEDOWN," M+B, Curated by BOZOMAG, Los Angeles, CA
2021
"BOZOMAG," Office Group Show, Los Angeles, CA
2020
"poem from home," JACOB’S WEST, Curated by Rema Ghuloum (online)
"Hoofprint," TSALA, Curated by J. Makary, Los Angeles, CA
2019
“and I’ll have a pepper-shaker in my cave, so laugh”, ltd Los Angeles, Curated by Kate Eringer, Los Angeles, CA
2018
Odd Ark LA, Barker Hanger, Curated by Hayley Barker, An Art Den, Los Angeles, CA
"Look at the bird. Look at the nest. Look at the rainbow. Look at the the grass," QUEENS. Los Angeles, CA
Torrance Art Museum, Curated by Manuel History Machines, Torrance CA
2017
"SPF15," Anna Breininger, Jamie Felton, Shanna Waddell, San Diego, CA
"GIFC, Traveling Show," Art Athina Fair, Chart Art, Kunst Courtyard, OOLA - Los Angeles, Rod Bianco Gallery, Macaulay & Co Fine Art
"Amplify Compassion," ACLU Benefit, 356 Mission Rd., Los Angeles, CA
2016
"Benefit Auction," Central Park, Los Angeles, CA
"Women on the Fence," MOTHERSHIP, Desert Hot Springs, CA
"Figure as Form," ltd, Los Angeles, CA
"End of Summer Show," 24 Hour Charlie's, Malibu, CA
2015
"instar," University of the Arts, Gallery 815, Philadelphia, PA
"loophole: a show concerning fantasy, desire, and staring " New Boon, Philadelphia, PA
“Eight Young Figurative Philadelphia Painters,” FJORD, Philadelphia, PA
2014
“Begin Where You Are At,” Ice Box, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA
“Whitney Houston Biennial: I am every Woman,” Brooklyn, NY
2013
"Project Sapce,” Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, NY
“The Engagement Party,” Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA
“Manual History Machines: The Familiar Unfamiliar,” Casa Agave, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA
“Animal Show,” Pterodactyl Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
“Pageant,” Soloveev, Philadelphia, PA
“Benefit Show,” Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
“Three in Doubles,” FJORD, Philadelphia, PA
2012
"Dirty Pretty Things," Gallery 102, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA
"Mirror, Mirror," Airplane Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, Curated by Brittany Pratter
2011
"Handshakes," Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, NY
"Untitled," Philadelphia, Gallery 102, Crane Arts, Philadelphia, PA
"15 Years," Thomas Erben Gallery, New York, NY
"An Oasis of Thoughts," New Old School Building, Philadelphia, PA
Summer Faculty Show, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Curatorial Projects

2017
"Alice Throne: Works from the 80’s and 90’s," POST, Los Angeles, CA
2016
"Floating Letters," Manhattan Beach Arts Center, Manhattan Beach, CA
"Poetry Reading- FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3: By Jamie Felton," Manhattan Beach Arts Center, Manhattan Beach, CA
"Book Release - FIGURE 1, FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3: By Jamie Felton," Manhattan Beach Arts Center, Manhattan Beach, CA
2015
"WIND CHIMES," Bannerette, Brooklyn NY
2014
"Eight Young Figurative Artist Who Live in Philadelphia (with Dona Nelson)," FJORD, Philadelphia, PA

Bibliography

2024
Pepperdine Fine Art Division, Art and Art History Lecture Series, Weisman Museum, Minneapolis, MN
2023
"Shanna Waddell," Headlands Center for the Arts, Artist in Residence, Sausalito, CA
Davidson, Emily. "Shanna Waddell Interviewed," BOMB, May
Waddell, Shanna. "An introduction to s/heness society," New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting & Sculpture, Public Lecture Series, New York, NY
2020
J. Makary. "Hoofprint, TSALA," OFluxo, ofluxo.net
2017
"Must See Art Event, VRSONYVR, Galerie La Croix," Curate LA, February 23
2014
Monnier, Annette."Begin Where You Are," Icebox Project Space, November 1
Seesman, Suzanne. "Begin Where You Are at Crane Arts," The St. Claire, September 13
Buckingham, Jenna."Begin Where You Are," Title Magazine, September 9
Fallon, Rebecca. "Begin Where You Are at the Icebox- A Great Chunky Philadelphia Roundup," theartblog.org, September 1
Schwartz, Chip. "Mindful Meltdown Crane Arts Icebox Begins with You," Knight Foundation, August 26
Martin, Alison. "Artist Cult Themed Paintings," NY Fine Arts Examiner, examiner.com, , January 3
Minutella, Erica. "Beginning with Crane Arts," InLiquid, August 22
2013
"2013 Panel Discussion: Temple Gallery," Tyler School of Art, November 5
Davison, Chris. "Studio Visit," Title Magazine, May
Fallon, Roberta. "Mixed Doubles @ FJORD - Dona Nelson, Kelly McRaven, and Shanna Waddell," thartblog.org, April 25
McCartney, Ryan. "Cult Logic - Remote Viewing Sister Pauline Turpin," Title Magazine, January 21
McMenamin, Allison. "In Search of Dipravoslaviye, Tackle the Idea of Cult at Tiger," theartblog.org, January 19
2012
Schwartz, Chris. "North Philly Abstraction, Dirty Pretty Things, kgnightsarts.org, July 19
2011
Fallon, Roberta. "Studio Visit," theartblog.org, Sept. 28
Rosenberg, Karen. "Art in Review, Shanna Waddell," New York Times, March 10
Wilson, Rebecca. "Top International Shows- Editor's Pick," Saachtii Online, February 21