Maria R. Schneider
PLAYING WITH HOUSES - Women Architects That Made a Mark (Minerva Parker Nichols), 2023
Digital Print on Cotton Rag Paper, Laser-drawing on Plexiglass
15 x 30"

About the work
My artistic exploration extends into the realm of urban environments, with a specific focus on Women Architects and their contributions to the architectural landscape. Delving into the intricate past and dynamic present of their work, I aim to unravel the historical tapestry that defines buildings, neighborhoods, and entire cities created by women in architecture. My work seeks to illuminate our perception of these environments through the lens of female architects.
Drawing inspiration from extensive research in archival collections and a curated selection of images and photographs, I employ innovative techniques such as lasers on plexiglass and LEDs. Through this unique combination of mediums, I depict the metamorphosis of urban neighborhoods shaped by the architectural vision of women. This visual exploration captures the unique contributions and perspectives of Women Architects, highlighting the diversity and creativity they bring to the 21st-century urban landscape.
My artistic expression encapsulates the essence of both the past and present, narrated through the architectural evolution crafted by women in the field. Simultaneously, I endeavor to portray the rich history of individuals by examining the spaces they inhabit, creating a multi-dimensional exploration that intertwines architecture, the female experience, and the enduring legacy of Women Architects
This work portrays tow of the buildings that Minerva Parker Nichols designed. Parker Nichols was the first woman architect with with her own independent office in the United States. This work juxtaposes images of the Lewis Jones House and the New Century Club of Philadelphia, the first women's club in the United States and the World. It was a home to many suffragist in Philadelphia.

Bio
Maria Schneider's art is characterized by graphic simplicity and conceptual undertones. A native of Madrid, Spain, Schneider studied at The Art Student League in New York, NY, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She is a member of NextFab, a makers-space in Philadelphia, where she works with lasers, LED lighting, and other technologies which she incorporates in her artistic practice. Previously, she completed a Law Degree and an MBA, disciplines that now inform her work. Drawing and experimentation have always been central to her artistic practice in which she marries art and technology using basic elements of drawing and simple lighting techniques. Her new ventures into photography use layering ideas to create mystical landscapes of color and shape. Her work is part of several corporate collections - CubeSmart, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, AIR Communities, Rhino Investments, Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer, Lincoln Harris, myCIO, as well as private collections. She has exhibited at the Barnes Foundation, Rowan University, Pennsylvania State Museum, Philadelphia City Hall, CFEVA, several Philadelphia downtown galleries, as well as at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI, and Samara Gallery in Houston, TX.

www.mariaRschneider.com
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