About the Artist
Artist’s Statement
I want to tell you a story–either an ancient myth, a religious epiphany, or the tale of a remarkable person–in images and symbols. We are more than our bodies. We are more than the symbology of our belief systems. The material world cannot describe what makes us human and what makes up the divine. Through my art, I want to take you on a journey that sees beyond the tangible world to the heart of human nature.
The human form is beautiful and varied, but inner lives are equally fascinating. My sideshow sculptures comment on the humanity of people who do not conform to “normal” standards of beauty. The rest of my oeuvre explores the mythology and stories that animate and define our lives. I draw upon mythologies and stories from all over the world, in part to explore the variety of humanity, and in part because there are just so many great stories to tell.
Craftsmanship, through the use of traditional processes, is my goal. Beads, sequins, metal leaf, all have shimmering qualities that impart life and spirituality. Hand-sewing leather and fabric takes time and patience, as does working with wood, giving each artwork a part of myself through the meditative creative process. The materials I select have a tactile quality that elevates the images above two dimensions. It is exciting to shape and form this material and to know it will last for hundreds of years.
I live and work in Tucson, Arizona with my husband, Michael, an astronomer and author.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Sculpture,
University of Missouri-Columbia, summa cum laude
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Interior Design,
Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI, summa cum laude
Solo Exhibitions
Sideshow
Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada,
April-May 2008
Holley Bakich Art
Flying Pig Gallery, Algoma, Wisconsin, July-August 2007
Amazing World of Freaks, and Beliefs, Myths and Mysteries
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, Missouri, November 2002-January 2003
Sky Lore
Hal Marcus Gallery, El Paso, Texas, April 2000
Mythology in 3 Dimensions
Hal Marcus Gallery, El Paso, Texas,
February-March 1999
Group Exhibitions
A New Day, Wisconsin Visual Artists
RedLine Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, March-April, 2019
Madonna and Child Interpreted
H2O Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 2011
Invitational: Bird Life
Dooryard Gallery, Elm Grove, Wisconsin,
August-September 2010
Inaugural Show
Barrow and Juarez Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
August-September 2006
The Kaleidoscope Exhibit
Almont Gallery, Waukesha, Wisconsin, October 2005
Wisconsin Artists Biennial
Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha, Wisconsin,
July 2005 - Merchandise Award
Art Pop!
Taylor’s, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 2004
Day of the Dead Art Ofrendas Exhibit
Latino Arts, Inc. Art Gallery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
October-November 2003
Figures in Sculpture, Featuring Holley Bakich and D. Claudio
Hal Marcus Gallery, El Paso, Texas, August-September 2001
Time Flies: Artist Made Clocks
Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, St. Joseph, Missouri, October-November 2000
Culture Cruise Show
Hal Marcus Gallery, El Paso, Texas, May 2000
Don’t Myth It
Embellishment Gallery, Houston, Texas, July-August 1999
2nd International Miyuki Delica Challenge
Caravan Beads Gallery, Portland, Maine, May-June 1999
Juntos Art Competition: Festival Internacional de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Hispanic Leadership Institute Gallery, El Paso, Texas, January 1999/ January 2000
Honorable Mention 1999, 3rd Prize 2000
Higher Dimensions
Zographia Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri, June-July 1994
Senior Exhibition
University of Missouri-Columbia Art Department Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, May 1991
Intercollegiate Art Show
Columbia Art League, Columbia, Missouri, October 1990/1991 First Prize Mixed Media 1991
Missouri Student Association Purchase Prize
Craft Studio Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, April 1990/1991 - Purchase prize 1990
First National Bank Show
Craft Studio Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, November 1990/1991
The King and Queen of Sleepytown
(Joint show with Mark Inman)
Craft Studio Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, February 1990
Invitational Student Show
University of Missouri-Columbia Art Department Gallery, Columbia, Missouri, March 1989/1990/1991
Bibliography
Tucson artist dabbles in many mediums from sculpting and sewing to graphic design
by Gloria Knott in the Arizona Daily Star
September 24, 2020
Feature Artist Holley Bakich
by Aaron Wilbers in Wisconsin Visual Artists Magazine, 3rd Quarter Issue, September through November 2019
That’s Clever!
HGTV show, Season 2, Episode 17, first aired 2007
El Pasoan Delves into World of Freaks
by Jennifer Shubinski in the El Paso Times
November 26, 2002
Article about artist’s series of 10 sculptures and banners commemorating famous sideshow performers
from the past.
Full Circle
by Michael D. Hernandez in the El Paso Times
September 29, 2000
Article about two embroidered and quilted covers (created by the artist) for a Holocaust Torah; the covers were donated to Congregation B’nai Zion synagogue by a member, in honor of her father, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The Art of Myth
by Sarah H. Sparacio in the El Paso Times
February 16, 1999
Article about artist’s body of work concerning the world’s mythologies.
2nd International Miyuki Delica Challenge Show Catalog
1999
A photograph of artist’s piece, Amaterasu, was included in the show’s catalog.