Michele Krauss

Chilean- American artist, Michele Krauss, was born and raised in Santiago. She spent the majority of her adult life abroad where her travels opened up the doors, for her to study interior architecture, design and art in Milan, London, San Francisco, Miami, Madrid, Boston and New York. Her numerous relocations have translated into her artwork as a constant motion, expressing conflict between stability and settlement and struggles between conformism and freedom.

Krauss works on wood boards and canvas, intermixing different materials, like oil paints, wires and sand. The artist explains: "By intertwining concepts, feelings and ideas, we can communicate on different levels and in a variety of ways. Symbolizing how we are wired to each other through communication, being physical, mental or spiritual, I tell a story, I keep a secret, I code a message… We are surrounded in a world of juxtaposition; it exists between motion and what is static, between the organic architecture and the man-made constructions, as well as the fluidity of movement and the rigidity of the structure. But while we find juxtaposition of elements in the landscape itself, there's also a contrast between emotions and perceptions. I represent it physically in the form of a painting, creating allegorical landscapes. Art is not isolated from social and cultural context. It participates, it’s part of it and transform it. Through subliminal symbolism, I make personal statements about social justice, global issues, gender equality, love and sometimes humor. I express hidden stories, thoughts and feelings. These are influenced by current events and issues that affect my inner world and the world, that belongs to us all. My goal of final expression, is to communicate with the viewer and create a connection that transcends time and invites you to be part of the creative process. The painting has a life of its own, which is never finished with the final brushstroke, but remains alive through energy, feeling and exchange between the viewer and the artwork."