Opening June 5th in the Alternator Member’s Gallery is Where Do We Go From Here? by Stephanie Clark.
Make, buy, discard – Where does it all go? The collection Where Do We Go From Here? invites viewers to examine themes of over-production, over-consumption and their potential consequences. The overarching theme of the collection reflects the tension in our society: we are living in a moment defined by environmental urgency, yet surrounded by systems that continue to promote excess. The body of work aims to offer perspective on this contradiction of urgency and limited action. Rather than confronting viewers with overt critique, collage allows information to be presented in a way that is approachable, layered and open ended. The artist encourages reflection, prompting viewers to consider their own relationship to consumption, and how we got to where we are today, and the ecological realities we face. Viewed together, the works form a broader narrative about our shared future; individually each work offers its own message, inviting contemplation and personal interpretation.
Working primarily with vintage magazines the artist photocopies the images to maintain the integrity of the source as well as delighting in the reproduced feel this gives the image and the work overall. The artist has an extensive magazine collection, ever growing, to work from. The vintage pieces allow for the construction of narratives that question social constructs around consumption inviting the viewer to think about how the past has influenced today. What future are we shaping? The individual images are placed together to form a scene which invites the viewer in. All images are hand cut then glued down and sealed to feel as if it is one continuous image.
Stephanie Clark is a collage and mixed media artist whose work explores themes of looking back on social topics and comparing them to today, focusing on personal experiences, current societal issues, and women in society. She grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where she continues to reside with her family.
Stephanie uses her love of advertisements and photographs, both new and old, magazine images (from her extensive personal collection), her own photographs and a variety of other materials to create her art. She has been influenced by Andy Warhol and his bold, graphic nature and his roots in advertising. Check out more of her work here.