Hallie Ahrens
“In my artistic practice, I draw inspiration from the intersection of art and psychology, including themes of memory, community, and the unconscious. I believe art is an inherently therapeutic medium; it allows us to connect with our internal and external worlds. Through making art, we can explore our past, and examine how it informs our present and future.
Creativity is a vital aspect of living; without an outlet to express ourselves, to see life through a unique lens, there becomes a strong dissociation of self. Art serves a grounding tool, to regain a sense of control and understanding in a world that often feels too complex. At the same time, there is a great importance in the creative process to “let go”. Art, just like life, will surprise us in ways that we can’t expect.
I experience this complex process in my lifelong journey to navigate my own unconscious. In my dreams, I experience an emotional and spiritual connection to the hidden world below the surface of everyday life. Through the process of artistic visualization, I can bring some of this hidden world to light.
Art has been an intrinsic part of my being since my earliest memories, and it will continue to guide me throughout the rest of my life. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities I have had to connect with art, and aspire to share this connection with others.”
![Take Two, Give Too (Bookshelf close-up), 2024, mixed media installation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/c98c8678-42a2-4bf4-9edd-2a6cad27e582/Ahrens_Hallie_1_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Take Two, Give Too (Bookshelf close-up), 2024, mixed media installation
![Take Two, Give Too, 2024, mixed media installation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/cbb70b2b-e345-4b89-8811-b73f310a25cf/Ahrens_Hallie_2_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Take Two, Give Too, 2024, mixed media installation
![Take Two, Give Too (What is one of your earliest memories?), 2024, mixed media installation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/b1bbe743-7eed-4a11-bfeb-b6be0751104c/Ahrens_Hallie_3_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Take Two, Give Too (What is one of your earliest memories?), 2024, mixed media installation
![What advice would you give yourself? (Art therapy directive at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), 2024, collage and marker on paper, 8” x 4.5”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/25b5ead5-ecea-4750-a1c2-d063162e3ba1/Ahrens_Hallie_5_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
What advice would you give yourself? (Art therapy directive at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), 2024, collage and marker on paper, 8” x 4.5”
![What’s in your window? (Art therapy directive at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), 2024, acrylic marker and watercolor on paper, 11” x 14”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/30da6978-9332-4904-9ba3-c4e9649efaa9/Ahrens_Hallie_4_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
What’s in your window? (Art therapy directive at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia), 2024, acrylic marker and watercolor on paper, 11” x 14”
![weenSTONK, 2022, woodcut relief and risograph, each print 8.5” x 11”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/2eac72b5-75db-4d1b-9c46-77a55ccd8be7/Ahrens_Hallie_6_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
weenSTONK, 2022, woodcut relief and risograph, each print 8.5” x 11”
![Paperweight (Alien Head), 2022, glass, 2” x 1” x .75”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/06e2f1b1-e0ff-4eb3-aac1-0c351121743d/Ahrens_Hallie_7_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Paperweight (Alien Head), 2022, glass, 2” x 1” x .75”
![My most favorite granddaughter, 2021, fibers installation](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/8fce135e-eb10-4977-942d-6e21fb294999/Ahrens_Hallie_8_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
My most favorite granddaughter, 2021, fibers installation
![Eye, 2021, digital collage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/496c4e04-d5c3-4128-8c79-2c71b8ff40ee/Ahrens_Hallie_9_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Eye, 2021, digital collage
![Ornature, 2021, digital collage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/8e35797d-8028-4ec5-a868-f087d33dca88/Ahrens_Hallie_10_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Ornature, 2021, digital collage
![Landscape, 2021, digital collage](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/559565be-1313-412d-8013-3c06bd415d8f/Ahrens_Hallie_11_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Landscape, 2021, digital collage
![Shame, 2020, oil paint on canvas, 18” x 18”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/18e10842-8cf1-485b-b2df-0cc2d3ddb28a/Ahrens_Hallie_13_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Shame, 2020, oil paint on canvas, 18” x 18”
![Let the light in, 2021, digital photograph](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/18dee51b-bf9b-46de-b4c9-8fc38de7d0a6/Ahrens_Hallie_12_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Let the light in, 2021, digital photograph
![Anxiety, 2020, oil paint on canvas, 24” x 36”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/446b73ff-5ddd-4c10-8d85-f89e77c1ab25/Ahrens_Hallie_14_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Anxiety, 2020, oil paint on canvas, 24” x 36”
![Dental Dream, 2018, marker and colored pencil on paper, 9” x 9”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/c58fe845-6dc0-48fa-b324-eb838ee2986b/Ahrens_Hallie_16_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Dental Dream, 2018, marker and colored pencil on paper, 9” x 9”
![Actualization, 2019, oil paint on paper, 11” x 14”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/bf956be2-88e0-410a-abe3-a382a1deda5e/Ahrens_Hallie_15_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Actualization, 2019, oil paint on paper, 11” x 14”
![Self Portrait, 2011, crayon and graphite on paper, 9” x 12”](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/dc400578-cec2-4924-a13e-0adcde3deeee/Ahrens_Hallie_17_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
Self Portrait, 2011, crayon and graphite on paper, 9” x 12”
![pinkiestpatio.bmp, 2008, Microsoft Paint](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/793f9dd2-72a7-48e7-b775-61f8e51e6036/Ahrens_Hallie_18_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
pinkiestpatio.bmp, 2008, Microsoft Paint
![halliesunshine.bmp, 2008, Microsoft Paint](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f3c104daf9e6f2b7d93ecc0/9f5646b0-e1d4-41b9-ada3-5c7f80fd3c90/Ahrens_Hallie_19_Hallie+Ahrens.jpg)
halliesunshine.bmp, 2008, Microsoft Paint
Hallie Ahrens
Art Therapy ‘24
Hallie Ahrens is graduating this spring with her undergraduate degree in Art Therapy. Hallie is a lifelong interdisciplinary artist with specific interests in painting, design, glassblowing, and installation work. Hallie believes strongly in the therapeutic capacities of artmaking, and will use this value to guide her on her path after graduation.
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Instagram: @halliev.art