A.F. Oehmke is an artist, writer, designer and educator based in the Midwest. Oehmke’s practice and pedagogy center a Black Feminist mandate that emphasizes being rather than making, and exploring cultural hierarchies and social ideologies. Integral to this mandate is the importance of moving with integrity, not striving for perfection. Intentionally obtuse at times, Oehmke’s work renders itself illegible to viewers without the skill or ability to decenter themselves — but if you know, you know. Oehmke’s courses encourage students to consider how design influences the built and natural worlds.
Oehmke’s work has been on view throughout the country — including in New York City, Baltimore, and Michigan — and featured in publications such as Hyperallergic, Art F City, and Eye on Design. The Cranbrook Museum of Art in Michigan houses Oehmke’s work in its permanent collection.
Education
2021 — Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art
2017 — Bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College Art
Courses Recently Taught
This course introduces students to the medium of drawing as an essential means of visual communication. Various methods and materials are used for both in-class studies as well as larger and more-comprehensive projects. Challenging and complex drawings are produced with a sharp focus on both formal and conceptual issues. Technical aspects of drawing are balanced with imaginative and experimental approaches throughout the semester. Presentations and class discussions supplement assignments to aid in expansion of the understanding of project goals. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
This course explores design principles and sources of design inspiration fundamental to all visual arts through readings, discussion, exercises and laboratory application, and critiques of creative projects. The core concepts of visual design include visual elements, principles of design and creative process, composition issues, figure/ground relationships, scale and proportion, pattern and texture, value, color theory, typography, and visual complexity. We focus on the contemporary visual landscape including typography, graphics, printed matter and technological media, implementing strategies that range from the elemental to the experimental. Students work to understand and analyze design problems, and write distinctive project statements. The class uses digital technologies including Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, and analog materials such as paper, glue and pencils to solve visual problems. Projects will evolve through critical thinking, refining, revising, gradually improving solutions, and incorporating conceptual development. Image lectures include designers and artists of the past and present for examples of successful visual design solutions. Inspiration begins a concept, and persistent improvement of the project concepts ground great design. This counts toward the introductory requirement for the major. No prerequisite.
This first semester of a two-semester sequence is designed to enable students to develop their personal artistic vision based on the foundation of introductory and intermediate studio art courses. Students are expected to develop a self-generated body of creative work based on a concentrated investigation of materials, methods and ideas. They develop oral and written presentation and research skills as they work toward a professional exhibition in the second semester. Critiques, discussions, presentations and readings provide context and feedback for this process. Students learn to develop the elements necessary for professional exhibition of a cohesive body of work, including developing ideas, writing an artist's statement and resume, and perfecting presentation skills. Studio art majors are expected to take this class and ARTS 481 with two different faculty members. This course is required for studio art majors. Senior art majors only. Offered every fall.
