Recovery (left): Fabricated steel, mirror, African glass beads 41” h x 27” w x 2” d Recovery Echo (right): Acrylic, charcoal and pastels on arches wc paper 44” h x 30” w
Hope and Joy (left): Fabricated steel, mirrors, African glass beads, wood and resin, 40” h x 31” w x 3” d Hope and Joy Echo (right): Acrylic, charcoal and pastels on arches wc paper, 45” h x 30” w
Mini Hope (left): Fabricated steel, mirrors, African glass beads, marquetry and resin, 16” h x 21” w x 1 1/2” d Mini Hope Echo (right): Acrylic, charcoal and pastels on arches wc paper, 15” h x 22” w
The Webs of Life: Fabricated steel, found objects, human hair and resin, 45” h x 31” w x 2 1/2” d
Nature’s Wrath: Fabricated aluminum, fused bullseye glass and acrylic, 25” h x 13” w x 3” d

Artist Statement

My work usually begins with a drawing I create while attempting to engage my subconscious accessing visceral, instinctive and at times, emotional ideas. Reflecting life’s difficult and fun stages I often salute specific people and accomplishments abstractly presenting them from a vocabulary of lines in steel.

From the drawings, I “draw” in steel using the drawing on watercolor paper as a pattern upon which I subsequently weld the structure and witness the controlled destruction of the image, using a spray bottle to prevent too much damage!

It becomes a reincarnation for me to use as a painting canvas to further explore the concept in color or monochromatically. For people to have their own private experience of my work is important to me. When shown together, the images tell a story of evolution and spiritual discovery, inviting the viewer to reflect upon their own life and its challenges.

Visiting different countries and immersing myself into the culture and landscape often gives me ideas to revisit when back in my studio. The architecture of Japan and their love and respect for nature as evidenced within their most widely practiced religion of Shintoism have also provided inspiration.

After traveling in Kenya and Tanzania for three weeks and spending time with the Maasai, Kikuyu and Samburu tribes, I created works derived from these experiences. Seeing the wild animals in their natural habitat was incredibly powerful.

The people least responsible for climate change are suffering the most. Their lifestyle and culture have been forced to change in order to survive. The resulting artworks are meant to give accolades and respect to their unique and very special relationship with nature.

Education

1993 Master of Fine Art, Sculpture, California State University Fullerton

1986 California Community College Life Teaching Credential, Fine and Applied Arts and Welding

1983 Bachelor of Education, Visual and Industrial Arts, University of Toronto, Canada

1976 Welder-Fitter Certificate, George Brown College, Toronto, Canada

1975 Bachelor of Fine Art, Tyler School of fine Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Bio

Originally from Ukiah California, as a child Karena took art classes at the Mendocino Art Center. As an adult, she also attended California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland before transferring to Temple University, Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art in 1975.

Immigrating to Canada, Karena worked as an artist receiving numerous grants, exhibiting her work and creating public art projects. Being paid by the Canadian government while training as a welder-fitter at George Brown College, she worked alongside convicted felons seeking a job on the pipeline being constructed to bring crude oil from Canada down to the US. Her goal was to become better at the craft of welding while inspired by the artists Nancy Graves and David Smith.

She continued to work as a professional artist on large-scale public art projects as a welder-fitter. At the University of Toronto, Karena earned a Bachelor in Art Education and Industrial Technology in 1983. She married her Australian husband in Canada before moving to Long Beach, CA in 1986.

In 1993 she graduated with a Master of Fine Art in Sculpture from California State University at Fullerton.

Her public art experience includes indoor, outdoor, painted and fabricated murals and sculptures. Working with governmental and private agencies she loves the challenges each bring.

As the statewide winner of the public art competition: Rosie Dog Beach in Long Beach she was also selected to create public artwork for the Gateway to Downey.

 Contact Email:  [email protected]

 Website: https://www.karenamassengill.com