Jennika Bastian is a Bay Area based magical realism painter. One of her favorite quotes is "Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths," by Joseph Campbell. She views her artwork as a dance between these realms. When Jennika was 5 years old she taught herself how to lucid dream. Her aesthetic is informed by how objects, environments and characters appear in her dreams: shape shifting, ephemeral, simultaneously growing and decaying. She is fascinated by mythology and folklore in different cultures- particularly how these tales can thread within our subconscious minds, almost as if the stories are organisms unto themselves. When she creates a painting, she often asks herself “if my subconscious were a myth, what kinds of beings would inhabit that space, what places would they walk in and what motifs would breathe there?”
Jennika’s freelance work includes illustrating a young adult fantasy series, installation design for the Burning Man festival, outdoor illuminated sculptures, murals and live painting on stage for concerts. She exhibits in and galleries in the Midwest and the Bay Area, CA.
Jennika’s books are open for commissions! Email her at jennikabastianart@gmail.com for a free consultation and price quote on the commission you have in mind.
Artist Statement
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin-Madison — Bachelor of Fine Arts — 2013
Magna Cum Laude
SELECTED EXHIBITION
Myth, Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco , CA — 2024
Field Trip, Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco , CA — 2024
The Tropics, Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco , CA — 2024
Dream, but Don’t Sleep (Solo Show), The Birdcage, San Francisco, CA — 2024
In Reverence to the Feminine, Abrams Claghorn Gallery, Albany, CA — 2024
Send Me Across the Sea, Helvella Gallery, Oakland, CA — 2024
Big Softie, Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2024
Holiday Bonanza, Helvella Gallery, Oakland, CA — 2023
4th Annual Fundraiser Auction, Mothbelly Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Unnatural Selection, Helvella Gallery, Oakland, CA — 2023
Heroes, Lowkey Skateshop Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Tarot, Gallery O-Rama, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Fresh Slice, Minimart Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Beyond Original, Modern Eden Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Small Works II, Soft Times Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Heroes, Lowkey Skateshop Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Gailiens, Gallery O-Rama, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Postcards From Paradise, Voss Gallery, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Shapeshifter, The Mother Exhibit, San Francisco, CA — 2023
Ink and Bone, Gibs Bar, Madison, WI — 2023
Material Studios Gallery Night, Milwaukee, WI — 2022
Alice in Wonderland, En Pointe Gallery, Milwaukee, WI — 2022
Making Out: An LGBTQ+ Artist Showcase, Gibs Bar, Madison, WI — 2022
Ventures in Portraiture, Gibs Bar, Madison, WI — 2022
Jennika Bastian at the Burr Oak (Solo Show), Burr Oak, Madison, WI — 2022
Jennika Bastian at Gibs (Solo Show), Gibs Bar, Madison, WI — 2021
Enter the Inbetween (Solo Show), 109 State St Gallery, Madison, WI — 2021
Art of Jennika Bastian (Solo Show), The Poolhouse Gallery, Wausau, WI — 2021
From Here on Out, Marzien Gallery, Madison, WI — 2019
In Harmony, Promega Art Showcase, Fitchberg, WI — 2019
Dane Arts Buy Local 2019, Yahara Bay Distillers, Madison, WI — 2019
Woman's Work, The Bubbler, Madison, WI — 2019
EUARCA+ Exhibition, City Hall, Madison, WI — 2019
We are the Drum 2019, The Crucible, Madison, WI — 2019
Dane Arts Buy Local 2018, Yahara Bay Distillers, Madison, WI — 2018
Printed Reality, 100 State Gallery, Madison, WI — 2018
Dane Arts Buy Local Pop-up Market, Truax Gallery, Madison, WI — 2018
On The Run, Ziegeleimuseum, Kaufungen, Germany — 2018
Ultimate Bedtime II: Clean Room,The Art In, Madison, WI — 2017
Dane Arts Buy Local 2017, Pinckney St Gallery, Madison, WI — 2017
Stories as Organisms, Madison Children’s Museum, Madison, WI — 2017
Ultimate Bedtime, The Art In, Madison, WI — 2016
MUNICIPAL, Madison Municipal Building, Madison, WI — 2016
GLEAM: Art in New Light, Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI — 2016
Burning Man, Black Rock City — 2015
Spellscapes, Solo Exhibition, Bandung Gallery, Madison, WI — 2015
Pynk Phoenix, The Bubbler, Madison, WI — 2015
cARTel, 100 State Gallery, Madison, WI — 2015
Yellow Rose Gallery, Madison, WI — 2015
StArt, 100 State Gallery, Madison, WI — 2015
Ruzniel Book Launch: Solo Show, Willy Street Art Center, Madison, WI — 2015
One Night Stand, 100 State Gallery, Madison, WI — 2014
Wide Open, Bright Red Studios, Madison, WI — 2014
Paracosm, Seventh Floor Gallery, Madison, WI — 2013
Wisconsin Union Directorate 85th Annual, Madison, WI — 2012
You Know What I Mean, Seventh Floor Gallery, Madison, WI — 2012
Retreat From Reality, Strozzina, Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy — 2012
SACI Gallery Exhibit, Palazzo dei Cartelloni, Florence, Italy — 2012
Maidoff Illustration Exhibit, Jules Maidoff Palazzo, Florence, Italy — 2012
REDzine Magazine Release Show, The Red Gym Gallery, Madison, WI — 2011
BFA Show, Seventh Floor Gallery, Madison, WI — 2011
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelance Artist, Self Employed — 2008- present
Created original art pieces to sell, promoted on social media, installed exhibitions, worked with clients to create commissions, prioritizing perfection and attention to detail
Art Curator, Gibs Bar, Madison, WI — 2021- 2023
Conceptualized and curated rotating art exhibitions every three months, researched and communicated with artists, planned and promoted opening nights of gallery shows, booked musicians and managed events on social media
Exhibit Artist, Madison Children's Museum, Madison, WI — 2014- 2022
Designed and created exhibits in cooperation with a diverse team of artists, including murals, sculptures and installations. Excelled in efficiently working on deadlines within set budgets
Program Specialist, Madison Children's Museum, Madison, WI — 2014- 2020
Researched, developed and led educational programs for visitors about art, facilitated exhibit gallery experiences, mentored program volunteers and interns
GLEAM: Art in New Light, Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI — 2016
Received a grant to collaborate with an artist and lighting designer on a series of illuminated outdoor sculptures to be on display in the garden
Burning Man Installation Designer, Black Rock City, Nevada — 2015
Sponsored to create an interactive art installation for Burning Man festival with a group of artists
Illustrator— 2012-2014
Illustrated Daniel Nanavati’s fantasy novels Ruzniel: The Laws of Magic and Ruzniel: The End of the Universe
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
EUARCA+, Kassel, Germany— 2018
Lost Coast Residency, Petrolia, CA— 2016
Summerwork on the Farm, Oregon, WI — 2013
GRANTS AND AWARDS
EUARCA+ 2018, grant recipient, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission — 2018
GLEAM: Art in New Light, grant recipient, Olbrich Gardens — 2016
Viewers choice Award, GLEAM: Art In New Light, Olbrich Gardens — 2016
Milwaukee Maker Fair First Place Award for Burning Man Installation — 2015
First Place Fine Arts Winner of Eco Art Awards — 2013
Kenneth D. Brown and Robert G. Kaentje Scholarship — 2013
WUD Juried Show Purchase Award, Madison, WI — 2013
Lois G Roberts Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Madison — 2012
First Place Illustration Award, SACI Florence, Italy — 2012
Lois G Roberts Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Madison — 2011
Dean’s List — 2009-2013
University Honor Society Member — 2009-2013