December 2019
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION
Rhonda Massel Donovan
INVITATIONAL EXHIBITION
Rhonda Massel Donovan
Artist Statement
Using various materials in the language of drawing and painting, my work maps residual mental traces of human interaction, represented by symbols of color, damage, repair, and attachments. This mapping builds physicality of textures to depict the transition from joyous to disastrous and back again. Although, moments of every day life can be seemingly unrelated or benign, they can also be manifested symptoms of wounds continually reopened. Using a variety of materials can communicate the individuality of these daily experiences with positive or negative outcomes. When damage occurs in an artwork, reassembly is required of the cut, torn, or broken in unique ways, and as an extension of the unique people involved. It is of particular interest to me how these interactions are fueled by societal issues concerning race, religion, or gender. Smaller works might focus on a single moment, while larger works may deal with history repeating itself. In this way, shifts in scale provide another means for materials to communicate.
Using various materials in the language of drawing and painting, my work maps residual mental traces of human interaction, represented by symbols of color, damage, repair, and attachments. This mapping builds physicality of textures to depict the transition from joyous to disastrous and back again. Although, moments of every day life can be seemingly unrelated or benign, they can also be manifested symptoms of wounds continually reopened. Using a variety of materials can communicate the individuality of these daily experiences with positive or negative outcomes. When damage occurs in an artwork, reassembly is required of the cut, torn, or broken in unique ways, and as an extension of the unique people involved. It is of particular interest to me how these interactions are fueled by societal issues concerning race, religion, or gender. Smaller works might focus on a single moment, while larger works may deal with history repeating itself. In this way, shifts in scale provide another means for materials to communicate.
After a career in Illustration, Design, and Art Direction, I realigned my focus on fine art. I am an artist and researcher, now in my third year of the University of South Florida’s MFA program. I plan to continue exploring ideas of interaction and transitions, and how they translate to art making and teaching. I have exhibited in solo and group shows, worked on and researched public art projects, been included in print and web-based publications, been invited into curation projects, and invited as judge and guest speaker for a local art program.
Teaching for the USF in Paris program and working at a Residency in Venice this summer has reinforced the importance of my international research, and ways to represent contemporary society living alongside historic social conventions. The success of my most recent solo exhibition, Tabernacle, gave me encouragement and validation toward investigating the rupture and repair of relationships.
Teaching for the USF in Paris program and working at a Residency in Venice this summer has reinforced the importance of my international research, and ways to represent contemporary society living alongside historic social conventions. The success of my most recent solo exhibition, Tabernacle, gave me encouragement and validation toward investigating the rupture and repair of relationships.
For inquiries contact the artists directly:
Rhonda Massel Donovan
813.477.7252
www.RhondaDonovanArt.com
Rhonda Massel Donovan
813.477.7252
www.RhondaDonovanArt.com