Eleftheria Easley

El’s Artist Statement

Human connection and cultural exchange inspire me because when we absorb the influence of a particular experience we also leave an imprint. The purpose of my work is to facilitate and capture this connection and my mechanism is storytelling through mixed media collage.

My work explores the extraordinary within the ordinary and each piece of art tells a tale wherein the materials not only build tactile layers, but their origins also add depth of meaning to the work. Collecting materials is a treasure hunt through daily life that yields curated time capsules, encompassing remarkably diverse moments and places. I merge papers, textiles and found items from around the world, by cutting and shaping them to reveal the visual and thematic links that dynamically join and contrast them. Utilizing this technique, both intricate patterned works and representational subjects emerge with form, detail, and texture.

Depending upon the work and its background surface, I sometimes tack down the collage elements with glue dots and embroidery, or paint and seal them with liquid adhesive, or assemble and affix the layers with metal brads. I up-cycle ordinary odds and ends alongside precious and upscale materials,promoting sustainability and the potential of each item to be reimagined and repurposed within a new context. The interplay of these elements brings forth a body of work that is at once deeply personal and widely relatable, inviting reflection from the viewer about what resonates with each of us and the common ground we share.