After a childhood in Chicago, Illinois and young adult years spent primarily in the suburbs surrounding Portland, Maine, interdisciplinary artist Embry Valentino O’Leary is currently a graduate student in the University of Iowa’s Sculpture & Intermedia program.

As a DIY enthusiast, Embry's experimental work weaves together installation, ephemera creation, digital media, printmaking, and assemblage. This practice is fluid and precarious, utilizing maximalist aesthetics, kitsch, symbolism, mythological references, thrifted materials, wry text, and found objects to explore themes of impermanence, instability, pleasure, (dis)comfort, rebirth, identity, and self-determination; aspects of life that are intrinsically linked together for one who inhabits a trans body and lives in transitory spaces. Some of Embry's favorite materials, objects, and mediums to use are bed linens, stuffed animals, cardboard, open source software, duct tape, hot glue, rhinestones, and smartphone cameras. 

Embry graduated from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA with a Bachelor of Arts focused in Studio Art and English, earned through the Frances Perkins Scholarship program for non-traditionally aged students. As an undergraduate and professional, Embry spent time working as co-founder, illustrator, and bookmaker of a now-retired independent queer chapbook press. Embry also held assorted positions in local interdisciplinary art and writing communities, serving as an organizer for open mic events, a workshop teacher, and studio technician.

Research Interests

• Sculpture & Intermedia