Bio and Artist Statement

R. Mertens is a fiber and interdisciplinary artist whose practice explores the intersections of materiality, identity, and technology through textiles, sound, and performance. He holds an M.F.A. from the University of Oregon and a B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His studies have taken him to the Burren College of Art in Ireland, Apulaya Center for Andean Culture in Peru, and NWTC in Wisconsin for audio engineering—an eclectic mix that informs his cross-disciplinary and culturally attuned approach to art-making.
Mertens’ work has been exhibited internationally, with solo and two-person shows at the Bureau of Queer Art, Hangaram Museum of Design (Seoul), and Arlington Arts Center (VA), among others. His extensive group exhibition record includes venues such as the Bellevue Art Museum (WA), Museum of Contemporary Art (VA), and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where he is a fellowship recipient.
His practice extends beyond making into curation, academic leadership, and international education. He is Associate Professor of Art at James Madison University, where he leads the Fiber Arts area and has directed multiple study abroad programs in Ireland and Costa Rica. Mertens is also a recipient of numerous grants and fellowships, including the Trawick Prize (2nd Place), multiple faculty research awards, and recognition for mentoring excellence.
A committed educator and advocate for the field, Mertens regularly presents at national and international conferences, contributes to the Surface Design Journal, and is an active member of professional organizations such as SEFEA, MFAEN, and the National Women’s Studies Association.

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