Graduate Outcomes

Tricia Grame, PhD, creates two- and three-dimensional art that is inspired by prehistoric female symbols. Her research combines archaeology, religion, history, social issues, and contemporary art.

"By weaving together the evidence that the female image in any form has always been alive in artist's consciousness, we can then search to comprehend the origin of our being and the position of women throughout history. From this we create symbolic meaning. My content is about the effects of these symbols on the transformation of life into art and art into life. Thus I am attempting to reveal a relationship of time history and memory."

Tricia's passion for the sculpted symbol took her in the late 90s to Italy and the islands of Malta where hundreds of sculptures and etchings have been found depicting women. The plethoric, ancient female symbols found exemplify a place that created a language through the art of symbol making. Tricia curated and organized group exhibitions and lectures that resulted in a bi-coastal conversation between two countries.

As an educator and artist, Tricia continues to explore from a historical and personal perspective how the language of the symbol is revealed and released through the creative process- becoming tangible in the work of art. These symbols reappear in art, have an enduring psychological effect, and hold significance from the earliest aesthetic expression by humans to the present day.

Tricia has taught and curated for the women's spirituality program and CIIS' MFA program. She also teaches and contributes to art education for the San Ramon school district. She has organized over 40 exhibitions and she lectures nationally and internationally. She is an art commissioner for Danville, CA; on the board of the International Caucus for Women; has curated for the women's studies program at Stanford University; and has other affiliations. The discovery expression and evolution of female iconography in her creative work consists of four different series: "Beyond the Symbol," "The Vessel," "Ballare," and "Woman In Stone." Tricia is presently writing a book on the creative process.

Tricia Grame's Dissertation:

Life into art; art into life: Transformative effects of the female symbol on a contemporary woman artist

Published Papers & Art Work

• The Effects of the Maltese Goddess on a Contemporary Woman Artist, An International Journal for the Study of the Divine Feminine, United Kingdom.
• Ancestral Visions, Poems on the Neolithic Temple People of the Maltese Islands, Marlene Saliba, Goddess of Skorba, painting, p. 226.
• The Future Has An Ancient Heart, Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum, Ph.D., cover She is Everywhere, Anthology of Writing in Womanist/Feminist Spirituality, Vol. 1 (artworks), Vol. 2, The Symbol, A Source of Empowerment, p. 381-391.
• Metis, A Feminist Journal of Transformative Wisdom, CIIS, San Francisco, CA.
• La Mere Noire, Lucia Chiavola Birnbaum, iUniversity, cover.

View Tricia Grame's complete resume.