Michelle Marcuse, Unclaimed Presence

I identify as a South-African American artist. My work is a visual exploration of aesthetics, cultural amalgamation, and traditions. From my upbringing, I find profound inspiration in the cultural aesthetics that nurtured me during my formative years, influencing the nuanced way in which I process and articulate my thoughts.

My artistic focus is connected to the interplay between identity, history, and shared encounters—a narrative of self-determination that has evolved from the broader context of my childhood. I am intrigued with aesthetic fusion stemming from cultural osmosis and view the development of expression as an opportunity to embrace both individualism and the collective self.

I seek to contribute to a broader discourse on the intricacies of human ingenuity by navigating familiar influences through innovation. I take pleasure in the organic character of my material and the opportunities that emerge from a perpetual state of adaptation. My process unfolds with a deliberate yet restless inquiry through trial-and-error, yielding forms with a transient quality that reflects the nature of my exploration. The resulting makeshift quality allows my work to exist in various states of becoming, much like the mutable nature of memory and air. By placing emphasis on both material craftsmanship and refining my methodology, I strive to establish a connection between substance and approach.

The significance of beauty in my work resonates deeply with me and asserts my vision in a world often inclined towards conformity. Preferring innovation over the mastery of technique, I intentionally break free from conventional norms, embracing artistic and self-autonomy as a means of refining my perspective.

Compositionally, the interplay between lines and negative space generates a rhythmic tension and adds to the complexity of my visual narrative. I look for the relationships between disparate elements, harmonizing contradictory shapes into a cohesive whole, inviting interpretation and dialogue.

Blending my cultural influences with who I am today has catalyzed my self-determination and empowers me. My purpose is not only to express visual narratives but also to contribute to the broader conversation surrounding the profound complexity of human ingenuity and beauty.

Michelle Marcuse, a South African American artist, resides in Philadelphia, PA. Her work in sculpture and drawings focuses on artistic awareness within transcultural experiences. She encourages viewers to reevaluate the sometimes-overlooked complexities and nuances not seen in our digitally overloaded lives today.

Marcuse obtained a Bachelor of Design from The Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Israel and a BFA in painting at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. She has participated in both solo and group exhibitions at venues such as the Corcoran School, BLAM Projects, Taller Boricua, Little Haitian Cultural Center, Art Life Foundation, and Restart Museum. Her work is in The Philadelphia Art Museum collection.

Among her achievements are a CFEVA fellowship, shortlist Joan Mitchell Foundation 2021, nomination for The Pew Fellowship in the Arts, and an installation at The Philadelphia International Airport Art Program.