Source Colossal   Alejandro Aguilar Canela finds profound value in what may be seen as some of our bleakest emotions. Delving into subject matters such as depression, anger, abandonment, fear, individuality, sexuality, and more, Canela strives to understand the multitudes within each, and how their shadowy paths have the ability lead us somewhere brighter. Though occasionally…

Source Colossal   “For me, paintings represent an attempt (sometimes more successful, sometimes less so) to grasp a ‘something’ that for some reason deeply moves me, agitates me,” says Turin-based artist Francesco Pirazzi. In atmospheric, dreamlike paintings, deceptively simple architecture, trees, walkways, and other features of the landscape glow amid uncanny lighting. “What drives my research…

Source Colossal   “He never had a birthday cake, so we ordered a birthday cake for him,” reads one plate. “He was only 15,” reads another dated July 23, 1945, with images of chicken drumsticks and watermelon. Yet another reads, ornately, “NONE,” dated May 22, 2002. These are just a few of the ceramic pieces comprising…

Source Artsy Shark  Artist Nicole Dornsife explores the remarkable biodiversity of her native California through meticulous paintings and illustrations. The post Featured Artist Nicole Dornsife appeared first on Artsy Shark.

Source Colossal   Known for his large origami-style works, Sipho Mabona turns his attention to a deeply personal object in a new series: the calabash. The hollowed, dried gourd is native to tropical Africa and utilized across the continent as a bottle-like vessel for food and beverage. In The Calabashes We Never Drank Amasi From, Mabona…

Source Colossal   From mysterious lights and malevolent mists to ghosts and spirits like the Diné’s skinwalkers, the desert has long spawned myths and tales of the supernatural. The American West, in particular, is characterized by its vast canyons, plateaus, and mountains, along with the rugged individualism of its inhabitants who make their lives in a…

Source Colossal   Inspired by both the 20th-century funk art movement in the Bay Area and the visual language of the country of her birth, Iraqi-American artist Maryam Yousif merges ancient cultural heritage and contemporary playfulness in vibrant ceramics. Born in Baghdad, she immigrated to the U.S. when she was young and is currently based in…

Source Artsy Shark  Featured artist Bogdan Murariu presents a contemporary collection of sculpture created in a variety of media. The post Featured Artist Bogdan Murariu appeared first on Artsy Shark.