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~ CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS ~ |
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The Unlocking of My Mind |
Artist Statement: The Unlocking of My Mind is about everything the world around me now says is “wrong” but is ironically “right.” I spent most of my life believing that “right” things were “wrong.” The woman you see in “The Unlocking of My Mind” is me, and the lock symbolizes the unlocking of my mind: the new ability to see outside the box and comprehend the “truth” of others who live and believe differently from me. The lock also represents the oppression of others. We lock people up for the “wrong” reasons. To be "right," these lives must be lived and perceived differently. We push people down for asserting their rights. We deny their truth to affirm ours. We go as far as to claim that we know the truth about how other people should live to get it “right.” There’s a little more symbolism in this artwork. I am of Greek origin. A hand-made wreath of tree leaves, twigs, fruits, and flowers is customary for Greek women, and I wear that wreath in this painting. My parents wore a wreath at their wedding. When I married, I wore my parent’s wreath. “Wreath” means “a thing bound around.” It can represent a restriction or “a place with certain limits.” I ask the question, “In what ways was I raised and taught to see restrictions and limits on myself and others?” With my culture comes attitudes, beliefs, benefits, and even some level of oppression in places where I did not fit in. I have lived a life of mostly privilege, so I fear even drawing a faint parallel between myself and those who have been truly oppressed. However, there have been moments in my life when it’s been clear that I was lesser- just enough of a taste of oppression for my eyes to finally start opening. These moments have followed me for a lifetime and have fueled me in creating this painting. During this Christmas season, I consider how this is a tangible step forward into deeper understanding and awareness for myself and others. This has been a year of epiphanies for me, and this piece of art captures how 2022 has been a time of both spiritual struggle and powerful realizations that have left me deeply changed. I feel a huge shift within myself, and I see it in my work. Despite all the mistakes I have invariably made, and all the pain that comes with being changed, I am grateful for what I now see in me. My Christmas gift is being able to paint it. Bio: Alisa E. Clark is an avid acrylic painter, assemblage sculptor, and collage artist who enthusiastically explores ways to share her creative process. Alisa communicates the transformative power of art through words and images and believes in releasing the spiritual power of painting to others. From within the creative flow, in-between moments are captured with a paintbrush and the artist’s voice. A better understanding of our “In-Betweens” waits inside Alisa’s paintings. Alisa received her B.F.A. from Pratt Institute and has an M.S. in education. Alisa's latest book, Painting Memories (2022), explores the ways art can tell the story of our past. Art and Liminal Space (2020), is the compilation of Alisa’s recent work with reflections that explore liminality’s influence upon it. Mindfulness Paintings (2019), encourages everyone to engage in the creative process and always value their process over their product. Whether Alisa is creating, writing, or teaching, her goal is always the same: to share the power of creative process in life’s liminal places and spaces. Visit Alisa’s website, www.LiminalSpaceArt.com, to see Alisa encouraging others to find a channel for creative expression and experience the spiritual benefits of artistic exploration. To follow Alisa’s creative journey, check out Alisa_Clark_Art on Instagram. |
