In America Cooks, Ann Marie McDonnell employs the symbol of the chef as a newly deified god via pop icons like the “The Iron Chef” and superstar chef Bobby Flay. McDonnell comments on political and social life in America using the familiar imagery of the chef. McDonnell will be presenting two series of small-scale sculptures: America Cooks and Patron Saints of the Kitchen.

The Patron Saints of the Kitchen series is inspired by the artist’s interest in storytelling and spirituality. McDonnell’s research becomes an integral part of her artistic process, and her discovery of at least seven different patron saints dealing primarily with cooking stimulated this series. St. Martha, patron saint of the kitchen, does not refer to Martha Stewart, but to her predecessor – Martha, sister of Mary of Bethany. A series of collagraph prints, etchings and photographs, which complement the sculptures, complete this exhibition.

Ann Marie McDonnell is a six-time recipient of individual artist awards and grants sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts and the Council of Arts and Humanities for Staten Island. She is the 1994 winner of a New York Public Arts Grant placing her bronze sculpture, A Bird Named Goldilocks, on permanent display at Clove Lakes Park. She is currently the president of SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery.