Artist Profile: Abby Sunde

Photo by Geoff Siemering

Abby Sunde is a visual artist who was born and raised in the Ojibwe ceded territory of North Central Wisconsin. She primarily works in 2D media and glass. Her work stems from exploring the nuisances of identity and nature, while often grappling with the impacts of existing in a post-colonial state. Sunde is a direct descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and is also Scandinavian/European-American. In recent years, she fully shifted her focus towards art and has since graduated from Normandale Community College with an AFA in Studio Art in 2022. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Studio Art at UW-Madison. Sunde’s work is exhibited nationally and internationally.

Photo by Abby

1) Would you be willing to share a bit about how you decided to return to school for a BFA after being off-campus for awhile?

I'm extremely grateful for the mentors and artists in my life who have had profound influences on the directions I’ve taken. Through their kindness in sharing their experiences and knowledge with me, I’ve found my own path that has allowed me to live more wholeheartedly and fully than I ever thought possible.

I was first encouraged to dive into this path of returning to an academic setting by artist and mentor, Marsha Steinberg. When I expressed to her how much art meant to me, how much I wanted it in my life, she encouraged me to pursue the traditional route of formal education. The immersive quality of an academic space is really unique in the exploration that’s possible. So I did just that. I began my academic art studies at Normandale Community College, and there artist Jeffrey Stenbom had his sculpture glass do a glass kiln-casting project. I was immediately drawn to the material and knew from that point on my curiosity and intrigue of glass was going to continue to grow. I immediately went home after that project and signed up for Stenbom’s glass class! His instruction and love for the material made for such a rewarding learning space. After graduating from Normandale, UW-Madison felt like the right natural step for me to continue my exploration of glass. It’s been a really rewarding space of experimentation with the medium. And I’m thrilled about all the skills I’ve learned as I’m coming up toward graduation this spring.

My next goal is grad school. I’m excited about the opportunities to continue exploring glass and to continue to grow my art practice. But I’m especially excited about what an MFA could mean in terms of becoming an educator. I’m excited at the opportunity to support the education of others, and if I’m lucky, be able to be a mentor and support the artistic journey of other people like my mentors have done for me.

Photo by Jim Escalante

2) After someone spends time with your artwork, what do you hope they walk away with?

I’m not sure how to respond to this one, because I’m still in the process of understanding this element within my own work. I’m trying to figure out how much to share with the viewer; how to encourage their own experience with my work; and how to potentially share my thoughts without being didactic on the subject that the artwork is about. Right now, I’m pretty elusive. LOL.

3) Who are 2 or 3 inspirations that have supported (or challenged) your artistic growth in the past several years since returning to a formal academic setting?

There are so many spaces and people who inspire and challenge my work. I’m inspired by a lot of the books I’m reading, like Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” or “The Toaster Project” by Thomas Thwaites. I’m inspired by other artists and the work they do, like Portland-based Native artist Brenda Mallory — her take on utilizing unusual material to create impactful patterns and symbols is really engaging and intriguing for me. I'm also inspired by the work of Australian artist Mel Douglas. Her aesthetic of combining drawing and glass is absolutely beautiful. I look to her work frequently as I consider the ways my drawing and glass practices might interact. 

Overall though, I find nature to be the largest source of inspiration for me. The solace I find in nature and the curiosity and imagination it spurs for me has always been a source of joy and inquiry that’s informed a lot of work over the past few years. As I continue to incorporate more nontraditional materials into my work, such as dirt, ash and other natural, found materials, I'm continually inspired by nature to see what forms those materials could take in my work. 

Abby at work. Photo credit Geoff Siemering

4) What are 2 to 3 exhibitions, concerts, books and/or book talks, spoken word events and/or films you're hoping to check out this season in Wisconsin or virtually?

There is so much happening at Art Lit Lab in Madison over these next few months that I’m so excited about! First, there are some glassy exhibitions that are up in Art Lit Lab’s galleries until March 7. Also, Helen Lee’s Exuviae and Indeterminate Objects, which is a group exhibition comprised of artists who have been previous glass lecturers at UW-Madison. The opening reception for both is January 18 from 6:00-8:00 pm. I’m really looking forward to seeing those exhibitions. And Steve Feren, the previous glass professor from UW-Madison, also currently has his work up in the front gallery until March 7 — lots of glass to check out!

Second, I’m really looking forward to Art Lit Lab’s Winter Poetry Festival. It’s an 8-week poetry festival with readings throughout the remaining winter months. It kicks off Sunday, January 21, and runs until March 10. I was introduced to the festival last year and I’ve been anxiously awaiting its return.