Heather Macali on Transformed:
Transformed focuses on memories tied to the innocence of childhood and the purity of the creative spirit throughout this period of my life. The feeling of discovery and exploration in my adolescence fueled the visual, auditory, and heartfelt memories imprinted within my soul. I’m driven by the ongoing reflection and interpretation of these time/location-specific memories, and am inspired to share them in a separate place and time; the present.
My adoration of colors and patterns arose from childhood experiences steeped in the material culture of the Midwest; specifically my beloved 1980’s and 1990’s games and cartoons. Transformers (cartoon) and Rainbow Brite (cartoon) had characters each associated with a specific color and responsibility. The colors of the characters always correlated to a “something” representing a much larger idea: an emotion, an altruistic deed, and/or core qualities. Likewise, Candyland (board game), which was bursting with colors, patterns, and sugary shapes, that directly stimulated my inner-childhood creativity. These themes have continually resonated throughout my being, and are now an integral concept I incorporate in my work.
I am compelled to create work that is inspired by positive memories from my youth to balance the media’s constant attention on the negativity throughout the world. Society has become addicted to stories that are filled with violence. The use of the vibrant colors and visually stimulating pattern in my work creates an environment that acts as an escape for viewers from the adverse stimulants around us.
Ultimately I am creating works that carry ideas of color and pattern that I have had in my imagination for as long as I can remember; that are part of the visual world I was surrounded with as I grew up. If I could choose, I would be surrounded by ordered color at all the times; it both exhilarates and comforts me.
I have a physical reaction from color and pattern and I am creating work that can provide this reaction to others and myself.
Title: Transformed (Individual piece submitted: “Springer”). Date: 2016. Format/Materials: Jacquard double weave. Tencel, cotton, and various metallic yarns. Dimensions: Installation shot: 40′ x 35′ (room). (Individual piece submitted: Springer: 49″ x 45″). Photo Credit: Heather Macali.
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