Drawn to the fingerprint as a symbol of identity and a clue to a unique existence, Alabama’s Marie Dutka Brix explores the marks we leave behind in her abstract typewriter ribbon collages and paintings.
Artist: Born in Merced, CA, she grew up in Aurora, IL. Brix earned her BFA, with a minor in French, from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.
After graduation, she received the Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship to study modern printmaking at Atelier Contrepoint (formerly Atelier 17, founded by Stanley William Hayter) in Paris, France.
“Under the guidance of Hector Saunier and Juan Valladares,” said Brix. “I learned viscosity color printmaking techniques and copper plate engraving with a burin.”
She returned to the United States and completed her MFA in painting and printmaking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
In 2010, Brix and her husband moved to Huntsville, AL, to raise their children and be closer to other family members. She works out of her home studio.
Art & materials: Acrylic paintings and typewriter ribbon collages using fingerprints, palm prints and lip print imagery to explore color, design and identity ($300 to $12,000).
Brix began collecting used typewriter ribbons 27 years ago, even though she did not know how she would use them. The ribbons later became integral to her work when she began exploring fingerprint imagery.
Essential tools: OttLite, spring-loaded micro-tip scissors, fine round brushes, matte medium. Also acrylic paint, ink paint and used typewriter and correction ribbons.
Inspirations: Artists, including:
- The early work of Polish sculptor and fiber artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, and Donald Sultan.
- Currently, Vadis Turner, Martha Clippinger, Stephanie Dennis and Carole Silverstein.
Special commission: Working on a family commission involving the fingerprints of six family members. Brix is enlarging and painting in layers, each print in colors tailored to their home’s décor.
Current exhibition: The juried Southern Arts Invitational 2025 at the Arts Center in Moultrie, GA. Through Oct. 31.
Where to buy: Contact artist through her website: mariedutkabrix.art.
Connect:
- Instagram: @mdbrix_art
