Artist Statement / Biography

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Artist Statement

I have always been intrigued with the tenets of existential philosophy and the concept of Johari’s Window, which is the relationship of the hidden expressed known and unknown selves with the perceived known and unknown selves. The existential nature of Johari's Window expressed through the intricacies and inter-relationships of the exposed and hidden selves provide the foundation and inspiration for my artistic endeavors. Using vibrant colorful explosions of layers and masks, my works revolve around social, political, spiritual, environmental, philosophical and/or psychological themes, where the creative process itself serves as a cathartic release of the mounting pressures building beneath the surface of the mask of my exposed self.

 

 

 

“The tears one shed may serve to cleanse the mask, but when all is said and done and the tears have all dried, the mask still remains much as it always was and always has been, fully intact and firmly seated in place. All of which begs one to wonder if the more things change, the more they appear to remain the same. Or do they?” (J. Mlaker, 2005)

 Biography

I am a self-taught digital artist, whose works are rooted in the union of digital photography and computer graphics. My works are constructed using multiple layers and masks; where the artistic construction process is also a reflection of individual and collective human psyches which are mired in infinitesimal layers and masks, with some co-existing in symbiotic and harmonious relationships, while others are co-existing in direct conflict with one another. My works are rooted in an exploration of the concept of Johari's Window, which is the relationship of the hidden expressed known and unknown selves with the perceived known and unknown selves, expressed through social, political, spiritual, environmental, philosophical and/or psychological themes.

I am influenced by the works of Dali, Kahlo, Escher, Picasso and Olbinski. I am a juried member of Artspace 2000, have been invited twice to participate in the Biennale  Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea 2005 & 2007 in Florence, Italy (http://www.florencebiennale.org/), participated in the New York Art Festival (http://www.nyartfestival.com/  in Las Vegas, June 23rd), exhibited 15 works in the June, 2005 group show at the DLG Gallery (Chicago, IL), currently exhibiting 6 works in Gallery Now (http://www.gallerynow.com/mlaker),  was recently the featured new artist in the Digital Abstract website (http://www.digitalabstract.com), awarded third place ("Lost in Song" - Spirit and Creative Force) in the 2005 Artists Helping Artists & Creative Line Magazine Call to Arts International Juried Art Competition (Cal Poly Downtown Center, Pomona, CA, June 25, 2005) and upcoming exhibitions include the Infusion Gallery (Los Angeles, CA), Los Angeles Center For Digital Art and the AX Space Gallery (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia).

Additional works of James Mlaker's art be found online at:

http://www.geocities.com/jmlakerartworks

http://www.gallerynow.com/mlaker/

http://www.digitalabstract.com/JamesMlaker.html

http://www.arthbys.com/jm_gallery.htm

 

 
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