ELEVATE: PART 1

Damianne Fischer

Artist Statement: 
For the several years I have been experimenting and creating sculptures with mixed media. Strangely, my inspiration comes from the “lowly” lint in the dryer vent. I push together and incorporate dryer lint clay and found materials that on the front end of a project are not likely companions. I try to recycle found objects that can be anything from a bird's nest, seed pods, dead insects, wasp nests, rusty barbed wire to old cabinet doors. During the process of combining materials they become an integrated and cohesive object that emanates from the darker part of my female psyche.
The themes of the sculptures range from the emptiness and loneliness women can feel even when surrounded by those they love to the feeling of falling apart and not knowing who will help them put the pieces back together or if they can be put back together. Creating these sculptures takes me to a very raw emotional place. I want to take the viewer there. I want to allow them to experience their own emotion and raw sense of my art on their journey of the feelings that are evoked from the sculptures.

Biography: 

My name is Damianne Fischer and my life adventure began in the small town in rural southeastern Ohio in an area not known for its “art” but for coal and poverty. I have never formally studied or pursued art professionally; it just seemed to have pursued me. Regardless of where I am in my life’s journey, my need to create is ever present. Currently I reside in Delaware, Ohio.
For several years I have experimented with mixed media sculptures and strangely, my inspiration comes from the “lowly” lint in the dryer vent and combining it with found objects the become an integrated and cohesive sculpture that emanates from the darker part of my female psyche. My sculptures have been included in art exhibits receiving top awards and being published in a national publication.
I am an avid seamstress. Each season I create Halloween costumes by designing and sewing costumes and accessories making my elaborate manifestations come alive. I have had the honor of designing and sewing Native American regalia for family members that participate in Native American dance ceremonies. I have also constructed sets for a local ballroom studio that include creating building facades to resemble La Boca, Buenos Aires. I collect things -- bones, fossils, rusty metal objects, vintage purses, hats and clothes. I love landscaping. I love animals and we have adopted many dogs over the years. All things inspire my creativity and everyday is a new adventure in using my creativity, no matter the project.

Saloni Parekh

Artist Statement: 

Pulling from my training as a physicist, my paintings reference scientific methods and strive for psychological and spiritual narratives through form and process. Vulprus and Phytobrates belong to series CRISPRCas9 which refers to genome editing technology that enables medical researchers to edit a DNA sequence simply by adding, subtracting or altering sections. These gene editing techniques have the potential of turning imagination into reality. Gene-engineering claims to be able to one day ‘design our own pets’. US researchers are making significant advances in creating new life forms. Such synthetic advances are contentious as it could cure diseases and also be misemployed to create bioweapons leading to mass destruction. I investigate the future of living organisms asking myself the question, “Will it be a boon or a bane?” Technology is advancing rapidly, and humans are slowing taking over nature, pushing into a whole new civilization or maybe leading to apocalypse. If technology is a baby, we need to be heedful of not raising a monster. This series of paintings reflects the exciting as well as unsettling possibility of CRISPR-Cas9 innovations.

Biography: 

Saloni Parekh was born in Gujarat, India in 1994. She was a science student and got a degree in Physics to meet her parent’s expectations. Though she was a science student she couldn’t resist but draw every day. Her passion for art convinced her parents to support her career path as an artist. She moved to the US in 2017 to pursue a BFA degree in painting from Kent State University. In 2011 she won a Bronze medal for All India Art Competition and was awarded an outstanding student award in 2017. In 2020, she did her solo BFA Thesis Exhibition at CVA gallery, Kent State University, Ohio. She also participated in group exhibitions including Foundations Exhibition at CVA gallery, Fresh looks 2020 at Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, Gallery Artist group show at Kanoria Institute for Arts, India in 2016 and Wall artist group show, L.D College in 2015. Her work is influenced from genome editing technology that enables medical researchers to edit a DNA sequence simply by adding, subtracting or altering sections. These gene editing techniques have the potential of turning imagination into reality. Gene-engineering claims to be able to one day ‘design our own pets’. Her work is abstract fused with bright colors. These paintings are derived from the combination of automatic drawing and rational decision making. With the goal of discovering something about the psyche. She quotes Leonardo Cohen to describe her process,“You lose your grip, and then you slip into the Masterpiece.”

Akhi Knighton

Artist Statement: 

Both "Boots" and "Teapot" are oil paintings completed while I was a student enrolled at Tri-C Eastern Campus. "Boots" is a painting building volume through color and plasticity; while "Teapot" builds volume through variations of color value.

Biography: 

My name is Akhi Ausura Akua Knighton. This is the name that I've chosen for myself. I've been a student studying Art since 2016 at TRI-C Eastern Campus; thanks to Mrs. Lady Palmer, my mentor. She was the one who encouraged me, when I didn't believe in myself. I was drawing stick figures prior to enrolling at TRI-C in 2016. Now I'm drawing, painting, and creating art at the age of 67, and loving it!