Mary Ellen Bartley is an American photographer known for her minimalist and abstract still-life images of books and other domestic objects. Her work often explores the material and textural qualities of printed materials, creating visual compositions that recall the still-life paintings of Giorgio Morandi.
Key aspects of her work and career include:
Focus on books: Bartley photographs books in various states, from crisp new volumes to worn-out paperbacks. She is known for her series documenting the private libraries of celebrated artists and designers, including Robert Wilson, Jackson Pollock, and Karl Lagerfeld.
Residencies at famous libraries: A significant part of her practice involves artist residencies within prominent archives and libraries. Most notably, she completed a residency at Giorgio Morandi's home and studio in Bologna, Italy, which inspired her recent series Morandi's Books.
Artistic influences: Bartley has long been inspired by Morandi's still-life paintings. Her photographs, with their subtle compositions and carefully observed light, create a quiet dialogue with the Italian master's work. Other artists she references in her work include: Fox Talbot, Irving Penn, Rachel Whiteread, and Jan Groover who was a teacher of hers at University.
Exhibitions and collections: Her photographs have been exhibited at numerous institutions around the world, including the Queens Museum, the Walker Art Center, the Morgan Library & Museum, and Museo Morandi in Bologna. Her work is also held in major permanent collections, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
Recent solo show: In 2024, her exhibition Mary Ellen Bartley: Morandi's Books was shown at the Museo Morandi in Bologna, where her photographs were displayed alongside Morandi's own still-life works.
Personal background: Bartley was born in New York and received her BFA from Purchase College, SUNY. She lives and works in Sag Harbor, New York.