Biography 

​Andrew Norris is an artist and educator living and working in Richmond, VA. Andrew received his BFA from East Tennessee State University and his MFA from the University of Florida where he also earned a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexualities and Women’s Studies. He creates figurative oil paintings that explore how the often undervalued forms of Americana and heartland kitsch can be recharged as instruments through which to generate and explore queer identities.
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Norris’ work has featured in numerous national group exhibitions including the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Mary Washington, and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. Norris is a recipient of the 2025-2026 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Fellowship and has attended several residencies including the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Peter Bullough Foundation. His work has been featured in New American Paintings (Issue 153) and has work in the collection of the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, East Tennessee State University, and the Tom of Finland Foundation. Norris is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Painting and Printmaking (PAPR) Department at Virginia Commonwealth University and is Assistant Professor and Studio Art Coordinator at Virginia State University.

STATEMENT
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As a queer artist from the Appalachian South, my work and process are a way for me to communicate my experiences. I create figurative oil paintings that explore how the often-disparaged forms of Americana and heartland kitsch can be recharged as instruments through which to generate and explore queer identities. Taking inspiration from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and drawing parallels to the queer experience and Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City, my recent work is an investigation of longing, chosen family, and a queer utopia.

My work frequently looks back at art history, taking advantage of the grisaille technique utilized by artist like Caravaggio and Jan van Eyck to highlight how queer individuals have historically been left out of mainstream portraiture. Utilizing José Esteban Muñoz’s idea of queerness as a horizon, my work offers insight into how imagery from popular culture can be used to share personal experience of transitional periods in one’s life.