Zoe Pettijohn Schade’s densely researched, seductively beautiful drawings and paintings of varying size explore the scientific, art historical, and philosophical aspects of pattern. Her lifelong repertoire of work rests on the premise that the pursuit of form, repetition, organization, and its arrangements are as vitally important and determining as the finality of the image itself.

Pettijohn Schade studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY in 1995. In 2012-13, she traveled to France on a Fulbright U.S. Research Scholars Grant to work with a collection of 18th century textile paintings, many completed by anonymous women laborers. The title of her third solo exhibition at Kai Matsumiya Gallery, The Hard Problem, on view until June 17, refers to the question of how physical matter gives rise to consciousness. Recent exhibitions include Our Secret Fire at Hirschl & Adler Modern, New York, NY; Less is a Bore: Maximalist Art & Design, curated by Jenelle Porter, Institute for Contemporary Art, Boston, MA; and deCordova New England Biennial 2019, curated by Sarah Monstross, deCordova Museum, Lincoln, MA.

Zoe Pettijohn Schade Mirrored Pyramid, 2021 gouache with dyed silver leaf on paper 10½ x 10½ in. 26.67 x 26.67 cm.

Zoe Pettijohn Schade Attempts at Self-Organization 7, 2020 gouache with dyed silver leaf, oxidized silver leaf, composite leaf on paper 19 x 13¾ in. 48.26 x 34.92 cm.

Zoe Pettijohn Schade, Attempts At Self Organization 8, 2021, Gouache with dyed silver leaf, toned aluminum leaf, copper leaf, gold leaf, and palladium leaf on paper, 22¼ x 18⅛ in. 56.52 x 46.04 cm.