Mary Merkel-Hess
Mary Merkel-Hess grew up in the farmlands of Iowa, where she still lives and works. Studying both metalsmithing and fiber for her undergraduate degrees, Merkel-Hess received an MFA in metalsmithing from the University of Iowa under the tutelage of Professor Chunghi Choo.
Merkel-Hess creates what she calls “landscape reports.” Working with reeds, paper cords, and a mixture similar to papier-mâché, Merkel-Hess creates sculptural basket-like forms inspired by the natural surroundings in Iowa.
![Mary Merkel-Hess sketching plants from her yard](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IOWA.RL_.01-8104-e1454358867101.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess sketching plants from her yard](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IOWA.RL_.01-8119-e1454358856935.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess' sketch](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IOWA.RL_.01-8187-e1454358810541.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess builds her vessel form](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IOWA.RL_.01-8140-e1454359072491.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess paints her work](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IOWA.RL_.01-8152-e1454358829732.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess, In Chephren's Temple, 2010](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/20151001_142009-e1454358945522.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess, Morning Colors](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IMG_5539-e1454358903876.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess, Morning Colors (detail)](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/IMG_5540-e1481163191734.jpg)
![Mary Merkel-Hess with Professor Chunghi Choo, Craft in America](https://www.craftinamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/MerkelHess_Choo.jpg)