Maureen Selwood Takes An Imaginary Voyage

On April 30th, the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater will play host to a selection of the films of Maureen Selwood. As Selwood's first solo screening in Los Angeles, the evening will encompass her more recent work, from 1998's Hail Mary, to this year's A Modern Convenience. 

A longtime outspoken voice in the independent animation world, Selwood's pieces are as concerned with memory as they are with mark-making. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she began making films while at the Tisch School of the Arts, in New York City. She has been honored with several notable fellowships for her poetic, personal work, including the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, the American Institute Filmmaker Grant, and the Rome Prize, from the American Academy in Rome. In addition to her own work, she has directed several commercials for Duck Studios, and is a member of the CalArts faculty, where she is Professor of Experimental Animation.

Selwood's work focuses on the hand-drawn figure, incorporating photographic elements to create evocative settings. Noticeably influenced by the sketches of Picasso and Matisse, as well as the colorful works of longtime friend and mentor, the late Jules Engel, Selwood brings a strong, decidedly feminine perspective to the proceedings. In her drawing style, and in her frank explorations of religion and relationships, she retains sole ownership of her vision. The resulting films are striking in their careful excavation of personal history. At once intensely private and open in their reflections, Selwood's work covers a vast internal landscape of loss, wonder, and unexpected pleasure. April 30th promises to be a voyage of the imagination well worth taking.

The Imaginary Voyages of Maureen Selwood is presented as part of the Jack H. Skirball Series, and is funded in part by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Tickets are available through the REDCAT box office, or online, at http://www.redcat.org/event/maureen-selwood