Marisa Adesman’s surreal and thought-provoking paintings often depict ordinary objects in bizarre contexts and striking states of mystical transformation. Recent works prominently feature tangled and twisted forks slithering in the garden or peering from a kitchen drawer. Her precise draftsmanship and delicate brushwork draws viewers into the fantasy and challenges our perceptions of reality.
Adesman (b. 1991) received her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI in 2018 and her BFA from Washington University, St. Louis, MO in 2013. She has exhibited work widely including at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), St. Louis, MO; Black Mountain College Museum, Ashville, NC; and Mead Art Museum, Amherst College; Amherst, MA. The artist has completed a number of residences including the Vermont Studio Center, Johnson, VT; Brooklyn Art Space, NY; Wassaic Project Residency, Wassaic, NY; ChaShaMa Residency, Pine Planes, NY; Jentel Foundation Artist Residency, Banner, WY; and Tongue River Artist Residency, Dayton, WY. Adesman lives and works in St. Louis, MO.
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Balancing Act." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 56" x 56" [HxW] (142.24 x 142.24 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1039_1653608939.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Glass Half." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 56" x 56" [HxW] (142.24 x 142.24 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1040_1653608936.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Untitled." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 17 ¹⁄₂" x 15 ³⁄₄" [HxW] (44.45 x 40.01 cm); 8 ¹⁄₄" x 6 ³⁄₄" [HxW] (20.96 x 17.15 cm). Its medium is Oil on paper, framed.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1033_1653608947.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Core Desires." This artwork was created in 2020 and measures Framed 17 ¹⁄₂" x 15" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (44.45 x 38.1 x 3.81 cm); 9" x 6" [HxW] (22.86 x 15.24 cm). Its medium is Gouache on paper, framed.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1029_1653608954.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Chasing Tail." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 16" x 12" [HxW] (40.64 x 30.48 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1043_1653608931.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Study for Chasing Tail." This artwork was created in 2021 and measures 19 ¹⁄₄" x 16" [HxW] (48.9 x 40.64 cm); 10" x 6 ³⁄₄" [HxW] (25.4 x 17.15 cm). Its medium is Oil on paper, framed.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1034_1653608945.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Pathos In Pothos." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 18" x 24" [HxW] (45.72 x 60.96 cm). Its medium is Oil on canvas.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1042_1653608934.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Study for Balancing Act." This artwork was created in 2022 and measures 15 ¹⁄₄" x 15 ¹⁄₄" [HxW] (38.74 x 38.74 cm); 6" x 6" [HxW] (15.24 x 15.24 cm). Its medium is Oil on paper, framed.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1037_1653608942.jpg)
![This image depicts an artwork by Marisa Adesman titled "Study for “Forkplay"." This artwork was created in 2020 and measures Framed 15" x 15 ³⁄₄" x 1 ¹⁄₂" [HxWxD] (38.1 x 40.01 x 3.81 cm); 6 ¹⁄₂" x 9" [HxW] (16.51 x 22.86 cm). Its medium is Oil on paper, framed.](https://anatebgi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Marisa-Adesman_MA1022_1653608956.jpg)
