Passion.
Creativity. Craftsmanship.
Ali Rouse's artworks evoke a profound connection to nature, drawing inspiration from earthy elements and the essence of animal spirits. Through a skillful integration of materials sourced from the natural world such as stones, precious metals, and glass beads, Rouse crafts pieces that celebrate the enduring spirit of the earth and its creatures. Rouse reincarnates and reanimates the spirits of the animals she works with, celebrating their luminous presence. Her work integrates elements of shamanism and animal spiritualism into a sophisticated exploration of the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world.
Each creation serves as a testament to the beauty of life and its eternal essence, transcending the boundaries between the physical and spiritual realms. Rouse's work captivates viewers with its intricate interplay of color, texture, and light, inviting contemplation on the timeless energy that permeates existence.
Taking anywhere from 15 to 80 hours to create, Ali Rouse links the elements of nature and design to create elaborate, handcrafted designs. Most of the animals she represents are emblematic of the Southwest region, such as the bison, bull, and ram. She also uses rare African impala, oryx and kudu because of their distinct shape and beautiful elegance.
A skilled artisan, Rouse has received major national coverage for her fashion and design work. Her jewelry has been featured by In Style and Vogue magazines, as well as on The Early Show. The skulls are her most recent artistic venture, and have been exhibited throughout the Southwest, as well as in New York, Dallas, Orlando and Colorado.
Rouse began working with beads at the age of 12 in her home state of New York. At 17, she relocated to Boston, MA to attend Newbury College and to study interior design. This training inspired her passion for color and the use of texture in her beadwork. She has also lived in Virginia and on the Caribbean island, Barbados.
At 22, Ali headed west to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she was inspired to begin beading skulls. She purchased her first skull at the Santa Fe flea market and began by trial and error. The first skull still hangs proudly in her home studio. Rouse has been featured widely in the Southwest, including in Albuquerque The Magazine in the April 2008 issue. Also in 2008, Ali had a showing at the Harwood Museum located in Taos, New Mexico through the National Museum for Women in the Arts and became a proud member of the Corrales Society of Artists.
“Ali Rouse’s artistic creations are a profound reflection on the concepts of animism, shamanism, and the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth.””
CV
EDUCATION
Newbury College, Brookline, MA
Associates Degree in Interior Design, 1989, 1990, 1991
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA
Interior Design major, 1992
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
“Looking to the Future”, Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM, August 2022
“Animals in Sculpture”, Canyon Road contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM, August 2021’
“Formed by Nature”, Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM, September 2019
“Contemporary Southwest”, Canyon Road Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM June 2017
“Western Totems,” Inez Gallery, Los Olivos, CA, November 2014
“Reincarnation,” Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM August 2012
“Bespoken Bones,” Nussbaumer Fine Art, solo show, Santa Fe, NM September 2008
“Originals 2007,” New Mexico Women in the Arts, group show, Harwood Museum, Taos, NM 2007
“Reincarnation,” Meyer East Gallery, Santa Fe, NM August 2012
“Bronze, Beads and Bones,” Nussbaumer Fine Art, group show, Santa Fe, NM September 2007
“Nature Reborn,” Nussbaumer Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM solo show, December 2006
“Reincarnation,” Nussbaumer Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM solo show, December 2005
“Conceptual Paradigms,” Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York, NY group show, July 2004
PUBLICATIONS AND TELEVISION
Contemporary Art Curator, Magazine, January 2024
American Art Collector, Magazine, May 2022
Santa Fean Magazine, December 2020
Santa Fean Magazine, August 2018
Mountain Living Magazine, September 2015
Santa Ynez Valley, August 2015
KBAC Radio Free Santa Fe, January 2014
Reign Magazine, December 2013
ABQ the Magazine, featured artist, April 2008
The New Mexican, April 2008
Vogue Magazine, September 2001
Vogue Magazine, December 2001
In Style Magazine, November 1999
The Early Show, television show, November 1999
Brighton Pittsford Post, November 1999
NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
“2015 Painted Violins...Symphonic Strokes,” Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, guest artist, beaded violin donation, October 2015
Man and Women of the Year, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of NM, guest artist, May 2015
US State Department, US Embassy Rabat Morocco: Art in Embassies private commission, April 2014
Works displayed at the NM State Capitol building, Santa Fe, summer 2014
Dr. Laura Program Art Boutique, radio show, guest artist, November 2014
Safari Club International, over 75 private commissions, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Wounded Warrior Project, guest artist, 2007, 2008, 2009