Maus Contemporary
MELISSA VANDENBERG
Melissa Vandenberg - I like the way you prey, installation view
![]() |
MELISSA VANDENBERG: I LIKE THE WAY YOU PREY
AUGUST 25 - OCTOBER 14, 2023 |
I like the way you prey. I like your fury. I like your precious things.
Elwyn Brooks White says of Thoreau’s self-imposed exile into the forest…"Henry went forth to battle when he took to the woods, and Walden is the report of a man torn by two powerful and opposing drives—the desire to enjoy the world and the urge to set the world straight."
I like the way you prey is born of both fury and confusion in what is worshiped and elevated to commemoration. I am not alone in the feeling of being torn between “two powerful and opposing drives.” As a self-professed civil species, we are full of rage and hypocrisy. Our hypothetical exceptionalism, a notion spearheaded by the West, the white, and the masculine is eroding our human(e) potential. What are morals, faith, and veneration without empathy, love, and gentleness? I like the way you prey is an artist’s attempt to make sense of an anxious and busted world through materiality and iconographies (icons) of reverence.
Our morals are distilled in our monuments. The ways in which we offer tribute to the fallen reveal voids in the system. The “fallen” here refers to a spectrum of loss… lost children to gun violence, loss of bodily autonomy, lost faith, and a debunked American dream. Secondhand gravestones and urns, triangular flag frames, castoff US ensigns, and other soft media are combined with children’s toys, matchbooks, and domicile objects as a series of novel cenotaphs. These turncoat tributes flux between collage and assemblage, feeling ephemeral and somewhat mocking. The work pokes at fears that govern all of us—fear of death, fear of being forgotten, and perhaps the most common, fear of losing power.
- Melissa Vandenberg, June 2023
Melissa Vandenberg "I like the way you prey"
I like the way you prey
2023
memorial flag frames, found objects
as installed approx. 99 by 80.5 by 8 in. (ca. 251,5 by 204,5 by 20,3 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Love... love will tear US apart again"
Love... love will tear US apart again
2023
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountain Region marble
as installed approx. 21.5 by 69 by 23 in. (ca. 54,6 by 175,3 by 58,4 cm)
Vandenberg's studio practice explores the political landscape using national identity, folk art, ancestry, immigration and the perception of a homeland as points of departure. She gravitates to everyday materials like matches, fabric, stickers, wood, temporary tattoos and found objects. Born and educated in Detroit, Melissa Vandenberg is a multidisciplinary artist, educator and curator living and working in Richmond, KY where she is an Associate Professor of Art at Eastern Kentucky University and Director of the University's Giles Gallery.


Melissa Vandenberg "Thought & Preyers"
Thoughts & Preyers
2023
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountain Region marble
as installed approx. 20.25 by 36.5 by 21 in. (ca. 51,4 by 92,7 by 53,3 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Hybrid Mosaic"
Hybrid Mosaic
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Log Cabin"
Log Cabin
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Flying Geese"
Flying Geese
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "North Star"
North Star
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Dolor"
Dolor
2023
memorial flag frame, handkerchiefs
approx. 39 by 29 by 12 in. (ca. 99,1 by 73,6 by 30,5 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Starburst"
Starburst
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Wedding Bouquet"
Wedding Bouquet
2023
match burn on Arches paper, mylar
ca. 22.5 by 22.5 in. (ca. 57 by 57 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Vessels"
Vessels
2023
Carrara marble
as installed approx. 32.5 by 44 by 34 in. (ca. 82,6 by 111,8 by 86,4 cm)
JUST PUBLISHED
![]() |
MELISSA VANDENBERG
WITH TEXTS BY WENDY VOGEL ZACHARY SMALL ANNA VIOLA HALLBERG
HARDCOVER, 428 PAGES, FULL COLOR APPROX. 12 BY 9.6 IN. (CA. 30,7 BY 23,7 CM)
ISBN: 978-0-9988397-1-4 |
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 1", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 1
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 2", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 2
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 3", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 3
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 4", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 4
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 5", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 5
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 6", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 6
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg "Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 7", 2017
Untitled Polaroid Study (Iceland) 7
2017
Polaroid
ca. 4.5 by 3.5 in. (ca. 11,4 by 8,9 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Veneres triptych
Veneres
triptych
2018
match burn on Arches paper
each ca. 30 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76 by 57 cm each)
Melissa Vandenberg - Veneres (left side element)
Melissa Vandenberg - Veneres (central element)
Melissa Vandenberg - Veneres (right side element)
Melissa Vandenberg _ Doublespeak
Doublespeak
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Doubletalk
Doubletalk
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Plica
Plica
2018
sparkler burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Red Vanitas
Red Vanitas
2018
match burn and ink on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Fall Trinity
Fall / Trinity
(Distress - Free Fall - Hole)
2018
match burn on Arches paper
each ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm each)
Melissa Vandenberg - Fall Trinity (left side element)
Fall / Trinity (Distress)
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Fall Trinity (central element)
Fall / Trinity (Free Fall)
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Fall Trinity (right side element)
Fall / Trinity (Hole)
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Golden Wen
Golden Wen
2018
match burn and gold leaf on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Meliisa Vandenberg "glory days"
glory days
2017
match burn on Arches paper, diptych
each approx. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 74,9 by 101,6 cm), framed individually
as shown approx. 29.5 by 84 in. (ca. 74,9 by 213,3 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Doubletalk
Doubletalk
2018
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57 by 76 cm)
Melissa Vandenberg - Outland
Outland
2017
sparkler burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Bang Bang
2016
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Bang Bang II
2017
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Origin of the World
2016
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 34.5 in. (ca. 75 by 87,6 cm)
private collection, Birmingham, AL
Vagina China
2017
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Ex * Pat * Riot
2016
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 27.5 by 29.5 in. (ca. 70 by 75 cm)
Worship / Warship
2016
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Welfare / Warfare
2016
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
permanent collection of the 21c Museum Louisville, KY
Slanted Patriot
2015
sparkler burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
private collection New York, NY
Free•dom
2015
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
Proper Patriot
2015
sparkler burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
permanent collection of the 21c Museum Louisville, KY
Fire Crotch
2015
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 29.5 by 40 in. (ca. 75 by 101.6 cm)
FIRE
2014
match burn on Arches paper
ca. 20.4 by 28 in. (ca. 51,8 by 71,1 cm)
Polycephalic Patriot
2013
US flag, polyester, thread
coiled dimensions (as shown on image) approx 18 by 30 by 28 in., extended dims ca. 10 ft long
private collection, Italy
Waterworks
2013
life vest, chandelier crystals, thread, wood
ca. 52 by 14 by 22 in. (ca. 132,1 by 35,6 by 55,9 cm)
|

Untitled (Match Drawing Series)
1998
match burn on paper
ca. 35 by 29 in. (ca. 88,9 by 73,7 cm)

Stella
2002
fabric, twine, polyester
ca. 13 by 18 by 12 in.
private collection, Richmond, KY

Resident
2004
feed sacks, twine, mails, electric cord, wood
ca. 42 by 24 by 42 in.
private collection, Carbondale, IL

Wean
2005
wood, metal
ca. 18 by 42 by 10 in.
private collection, Memphis, TN

Stump performance
Surplus Gallery @ the Glove Factory,
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
2005

Totem
2007
cardboard, lights, fabric
dims variable

White on White
2008
colored pencil and pencil on paper
ca. 22 by 28 in. (ca. 55,9 by 71,1 cm)

Siamese Flag
2009
watercolor and pencil on paper
ca. 16 by 22 in. (ca. 40,6 by 55,9 cm)

Untitled (Flag Study)
2009
fingerprints w/ ink on folded paper,
incisions on paper
ca. 16 by 20 in. (ca. 40,6 by 50,8 cm)

Untitled Gravestone
2012
linen, polyester
ca. 46 by 19 by 19 in. (ca. 116,8 by 48,2 by 48,2 cm)
