A.F. Oehmke

About A.F.

A.F. Oehmke is an artist, designer, and writer born and based in Michigan. After attending Interlochen Arts Academy for high school, Oehmke received a BFA in sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Oehmke has also written about happenings on the internet in the weekly column ‘The Internet is Exploding’ for the Baltimore-based arts and culture journal BmoreArt.

Sitting at the nexus of sculpture, writing, and print design, Oehmke’s practice explores cultural hierarchies and social ideologies. In making objects designed to actively “slam the door” in the face of some viewers, they also create an opportunity for understanding with others. Intentionally obtuse at times, the work requires code-switching, rendering itself illegible to viewers without the skill or ability to decenter themselves—but if you know, you know.

Oehmke's work has been reviewed by Hyperallergic and Art F City.

I believe that teaching is fundamentally an act of learning. I guide my students through their making processes by listening to and supporting their needs, while also challenging them to critically engage with their ideas.