Fine Art Focus: Marela Zacarias
Installation and mural work wasn’t something I learned about in earnest until I moved to NYC for college in 1999. Outside of our beloved hometown Wyland whale wall, I’d never seen many site-specific installations. But walking around Manhattan in the early 2000s was a visual feast of incredible murals, sculpture work and graffiti. Those area-specific paintings and installations made me look at walls everywhere through a totally new lens. So when Ana sent me this week’s selection of fine art to explore, I was so excited to see artist Marela Zacarias. Marela is a contemporary painter and sculptor based in Brooklyn, NY who creates beautiful installations that seem to move and flow in the wind, despite being sturdy and static works of art. I was thrilled to read more about her today, and I hope you’ll enjoy learning more about her below. Be sure to check out this collection of progress photos and video clips from one of her latest installations. xo, grace
Artist: Marela Zacarias
About: Marela was born in 1978 in Mexico City, Mexico. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2000 and got her MFA in painting from Hunter College in 2012. Her work has been shown across the United States and she has worked and taught across the U.S., Guatemala and Mexico. She is now based in Brooklyn, NY where she had her first solo show at the Brooklyn Museum.
Work: Marela creates stunning, site-specific sculptural installations that combine painting and traditional sculpture work. She creates sculptures that have undulating forms (often made from window screens), decorated in bold, geometric designs.
More: You can read more about Marela here on her website, here at the Brooklyn Museum or here on YouTube.
All artwork (c) Marela Zacarias. Photos via MarelaZacarias.com, ART21 New York Close Up and St. Luke’s Guild.
Beautiful works, love the geometric designs. The structure reminds me a bit of Sam Gilliam’s drape paintings/sculptures.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-15/sam-gilliam-paintings-gain-a-market-at-frieze-masters
Her color use is so beautiful and I love that it’s geometric but flows organically at the same time. We were lucky to see her work at the Brooklyn Museum a couple of years back.
Love this column–Fine Art Focus! Very interesting technique.
Her work is incredibly beautiful! Such an interesting technique.
Her use of movement and line is incredible… Love the way she combines mediums. Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m obsessed with her technique and amazing ability to make each piece come to life! It reminds me of life size ribbon candies. I would love to see her work in person.
I love these exuberant, colourful sculptures. They look wonderfully unique, the colour palettes are delightful and the patterns are fun. I agree with Emily – they remind me of ribbon candy!