The Eleventh Figure
2007
Intaglio, Digital Print                             

Darren J. Houser          
Residence: Sycamore, Illinois, United States
Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States

The content of my work involves religion, spirituality, life, death, and our personal places, or roles within this universe. I try to evoke the same mood and feeling in my work that I receive from viewing early Flemish engravings and paintings. Being influenced by these historic artists, much of my work involves the use of a figurative narration. This is done intentionally, because nearly everything we can experience in life, is viewed in relation to, and from the perspective of our human existence. The struggles, mistakes, and ties to the past that make up our human nature, provide a rich source from which I draw the content of my work. I often use allegory and characterization to further relate to the very differences that make us all so similar. The ambiguity of many elements in my imagery creates a transmutable meaning for each individual viewer, and this creation of meaning is directly related to our individual human existence.

Education
Master of Fine Arts Candidate, Printmaking, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois [2007–Present]
Non-degree Graduate Student, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska [2006–07]
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Printmaking, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska [2006]

2008
21st Parkside National Small Print Exhibition [Juried by Karla Hackenmiller], University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin.
‘Naestved International Exhibition of Contemporary Mini Square Prints’, grafisk vaerksted\NAESTVED The Print Studio, Roennebaeksholm Arts & Culture Center, Naestved, Denmark
‘Predictions & Premonitions: Stage II’, Pearl Street Gallery, Brooklyn, New York

2007
2nd Annual Juried Graduate Exhibition [Juried by Tim Lowly], Jack Olson Gallery, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois [3rd Place]
‘Predictions & Premonitions’, Pearl Street Gallery, Brooklyn, New York