Biography — Artist Portfolio

Cheryl Safren is a New York-based visual artist whose work sits at the intersection of art and science. Her practice — spanning painting, public art, and experimental processes — has been collected by universities, research institutions, and municipalities across the United States, Asia, and beyond. She holds a BFA from Pratt Institute and an MS from Hofstra University.

Academic History

MS — Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
BFA — Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Selected Collections

Miami University, Pearson Hall, Oxford, OH
Anna Philbrook Center, Concord, New Hampshire
City of Aurora, CO
City of Balatonfured, Hungary
Florida State University, Psychology Bldg., Tallahassee, FL
Helix Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Iowa State University, Hach Hall, Ames, IA
Lawrence Institute of Technology, Southfield, MI
Marine Biological Labs, Woods Hole, MA
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
Place Machine, Inc. (Thyssen Industries, AG, Germany), Troy, MI
Satco, Inc., Brentwood, NY
Siena College, Loudonville, NY
Teleflex International
University of Georgia, School of Forestry, Athens, GA
University of Maine, Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Orono, ME
University of Montana, Skaggs Science Bldg., Missoula, MT
University of Utah, Molecular Biotechnology Research Bldg., Salt Lake City, UT
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, USA
Yuko Nii Foundation

Selected Reviews (30 to date)

4/24 — Matter and Time, Interalia Magazine
4/23 — A Scientific World with Fancy Ideas, Art & Science Research Center, Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China, book p16–33
6/21 — Art511 Magazine, Abstract Singularity by Jonathan Goodman
11/20 — Seisma Magazine, Neuroscience issue, p76
4/20 — AlTiba9 Contemporary Art, Nine Questions for Cheryl Safren, issue 4
4/19 — Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, Vol 9, No 2, cover, p200–202
12/17–1/18 — National Geographic Science, centerfold p50–51
10/8/17 — Art the Science, Creators — Cheryl Safren by Catherine Lau
1/15 — Artvoices Magazine, Geo-Celestial Layers Process in Oxidation-Time by Amir Bey, cover, p64–67
8/08 — Pulse Magazine, “VIP Artists,” the editors, p76–80
8/08 — Copper.org, “Chemistry on Copper: The Works of Cheryl Safren,” by Michael Cervin
10/06 — Chemical and Engineering News, “Chemistry for Art’s Sake” by Ivan Amato, p53–56
3/04 — Art and Science Collaborations Inc by Rich Leslie, critic, author, curator, professor
11/03 — Hyle: International Journal of Chemistry, special issue “Aesthetics and Visualization in Chemistry,” published in Germany (funded by BASF)
7/02 — Hungarian Cultural Television, interviewed on MTV1, MTV2
6/02 — NYArts Magazine, “Copperworld,” p94

Selected Solo Shows (17 to date)

2025 — Early Languages, Swirbul Gallery, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
2016 — Early Works of Cheryl Safren, MorrisArts Center Fall/Winter Invitational, Morristown, NJ
2015 — Alchemy, University Center Gallery, Adelphi, Garden City, NY (3 person)
2006 — Percolations, Great Neck Art Center, Great Neck, NY
2005 — Chemistry on Copper, Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, CT
1990 — Interior Landscapes, The American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.C.
1982 — Chromachines, Lawrence Institute of Technology, Southfield, MI

Selected Group Shows (over 200 juried shows to date)

2025 — Synesthetic Soundscape, Treat Gallery, NYC
2024 — International Artists Who Work in Both 2&3D, WAH Center, Brooklyn, NY
2023 — A Scientific World with Fancy Ideas, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
2020 — Seeing Within: Art Inspired by Science, Weill Cornell Medical Library, NYC
2019 — Woman Forward, Part 2: Innovative Women, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY
2017 — Responding to Climate Change, Korean Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
2016 — Embodied, SciArt Center, New York City
2016 — Art + Science, Whitewater Art Gallery, Indiana University East, Richmond, IN
2012 — Alchemy of Change, NY Hall of Science, Queens, NY
2011 — GREEN, Attleboro Art Museum, Attleboro, MA
2010 — Chemical Reactions, Central Booking, Brooklyn, NY
2008 — 2D and 3D Works by Mid-career Artists, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY
2007 — Biology or Art: Two Worlds or One?, NY Academy of Sciences, NYC
2006 — Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY
2004 — Vizivarosi Gallery, Budapest, Hungary
2003 — Faber Birren National Color Award Show, Stamford, CT
2002 — City Hall, Balatonfured, Hungary

Selected Grants, Awards & Commissions

2025 — Keynote Speaker, Symbols in Early Languages, Innovation Center, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
2022 — Public Art Commission, installed Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
2021 — Public Art Commission, installed Pearson Hall, Miami University, Oxford, OH
2019 — Panelist, Innovative Woman in Visionary World, Williamsburg Art Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY
2019 — Art provided for Global Lead Event World Tour, New York City, NY
2016 — Public Art Commission, installed University of Montana, Chemistry Building
2014 — Artwork in Alien Invasions, published by Purdue University Press with funding from the NEA
2013 — Public Art Commission, installed Anna Philbrook Center, Concord, NH
2013 — Permanent Installation, Garvies Point Museum and Preserve, Glen Cove, NY
2012 — Public Art Commission, installed Hach Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
2012 — Palm Art Award Nominee, Leipzig, Germany
2011 — Public Art Commission, installed James L. Sorenson Molecular Biotechnology Building, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
2009 — Speaker, Southeast Region American Chemical Society Symposium, San Juan, PR
2009 — Public Art Commission, installed Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
2008 — Intersections of Art & Science, Symposium Keynote Speaker, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY
2008 — Awarded Honorable Mention, Art Interview Magazine’s 15th Annual Art Competition
2007 — Public Art Commission, installed Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
2007 — Public Art Commission, installed University of Montana, Missoula, MT
2005 — Public Art Commission, installed Tallyn’s Reach Municipal Building, Aurora, CO
2005 — Special Opportunity Stipend, NYS Foundation for the Arts
2002 — Residency, Hungarian Multicultural Center, Balatonfured, Hungary
1992 — Special Opportunity Stipend, NYS Foundation for the Arts
1986 — Bertha Lunden Memorial Award, Mamaroneck, NY
1984 — First Place, Individual Artist Showcase, Queens Central Library, NY
1981 — Corporate Art Commission, Thyssen Industrie, Germany, installed Place Machine, Inc., Troy, MI