Michelle Marcuse, October 26.2023
I identify as a South African American artist. My work is a visual exploration of aesthetics, cultural amalgamation, and traditions. From my upbringing, I find profound inspiration in the cultural aesthetics that nurtured me during my formative years, influencing the nuanced way in which I process and articulate my thoughts.
My artistic focus is connected to the interplay between identity, history, and shared encounters—a narrative of self-determination that has evolved from the broader context of my childhood. I am intrigued with aesthetic fusion stemming from cultural osmosis. I view the development of expression as an opportunity to embrace both individualism and the collective self.
Seeking to contribute to a broader discourse on the intricacies of human ingenuity, I navigate familiar influences through innovation. My chosen mediums—wire, raffia, string, paint, and cardboard—are selected for their malleability, while additional elements like gouache, acrylic paint, graphite chalks, and glitter are incorporated as needed to provide nuance.
Adopting a trial and error approach, my process unfolds with a deliberate yet restless inquiry, yielding forms with a transient quality that reflects the nature of my exploration. I place considerable emphasis on both material craftsmanship and the refinement of my methodology, connecting substance and approach.
The significance of beauty in my work resonates deeply with me and asserts my vision in a world often inclined towards conformity. Preferring innovation over the mastery of technique, I intentionally break free from conventional norms, embracing artistic and self-autonomy as a means of refining my perspective.
Compositionally, the interplay between lines and negative space generates a rhythmic tension and adds to the complexity of my visual narrative. I look for the relationships between disparate elements, harmonizing contradictory shapes and volumes into a cohesive whole, inviting interpretation and dialogue.
Blending my cultural influences with who I am today has catalyzed my self-determination and empowered me. My purpose is not only to express visual narratives but also to contribute to the broader conversation surrounding the profound complexity of human ingenuity and beautyI identify as a South African American artist. My work is a visual exploration of aesthetics, cultural amalgamation, and traditions. From my upbringing, I find profound inspiration in the cultural aesthetics that nurtured me during my formative years, influencing the nuanced way in which I process and articulate my thoughts.
My artistic focus is connected to the interplay between identity, history, and shared encounters—a narrative of self-determination that has evolved from the broader context of my childhood. I am intrigued with aesthetic fusion stemming from cultural osmosis. I view the development of expression as an opportunity to embrace both individualism and the collective self.
Seeking to contribute to a broader discourse on the intricacies of human ingenuity, I navigate familiar influences through innovation. My chosen mediums—wire, raffia, string, paint, and cardboard—are selected for their malleability, while additional elements like gouache, acrylic paint, graphite chalks, and glitter are incorporated as needed to provide nuance.
Adopting a trial-and-error approach, my process unfolds with a deliberate yet restless inquiry, yielding forms with a transient quality that reflects the nature of my exploration. I place considerable emphasis on both material craftsmanship and the refinement of my methodology, connecting substance and approach.
The significance of beauty in my work resonates deeply with me and asserts my vision in a world often inclined towards conformity. Preferring innovation over the mastery of technique, I intentionally break free from conventional norms, embracing artistic and self-autonomy as a means of refining my perspective.
Compositionally, the interplay between lines and negative space generates a rhythmic tension and adds to the complexity of my visual narrative. I look for the relationships between disparate elements, harmonizing contradictory shapes and volumes into a cohesive whole, inviting nterpretation and dialogue.
Blending my cultural influences with who I am today has catalyzed my self-determination and empowered me. My purpose is not only to express visual narratives but also to contribute to the broader conversation surrounding the profound complexity of human ingenuity and beauty.