Maja Sereda's work will be on display in the Miller Library June 3-27. The artist's statement:
In the jungle, as in our daily lives, everything is in perpetual transition. As an immigrant artist, I am captivated by the cyclical nature of existence – the biogenic scum forming and dissipating, the metamorphosis of green leaves into hues of purple, the transformation of mud into a habitat for termites and a haven for cicadas. I find myself dwelling in the in-between states, transfixed by the processes that mirror the fleetingness of life. Nature is a sanctuary, a muse, and media in my work.
My abiding love of details, textures, and lush ecosystems materializes in imagery of dense jungles with their profusion of leaves, various creatures and their watchful eyes, the overlapping spaces and intimacies of flora and fauna. While creating my mixed media drawings and fiber artworks, I feel a deep sense of presence, connection, stillness, a meditative state - a feeling of home. My creative act has evolved into an intuitive process which turns up the volume on my sensitivity towards the natural world. Soils, fibers, texture, aromas, paper, barks, and a rich tapestry of earth derived ochres form the building blocks of my artistry.
My current body of work is a conscious recognition of the depth of this connection, a profound sense of belonging, healing and transitions. In the work Fool’s Gold I highlight the fragility of our intertwined relationship to nature, specifically when we look at it purely as a resource for capitalistic gain. As much as the eyes bear witness to the destruction, they also seek to connect with us.
As Rene Magritte said, “Everything we see hides another thing, we always want to see what is hidden by what we see.” My work is an invitation to slow down and see what is hidden.
She will host a reception at the Library Saturday, June 8 from noon to 2 pm.