A painting with a blue ground and abstract intertwined figures in black.

"The Greater the People, the Wider the Cascade," 2022; acrylic medium, gouache, glitter, black and pearl mica on archival paper; 21 ¼ x 72 inches. Photo by Alon Koppel Photography.

Alisa Sikelianos-Carter

New York
Visual
Artist in Residence, 2022
↗ https://www.alisasikelianoscarter.com/

Body
Mythology
portrait of alisa sikelianos-carter

Artist Statement

My work asserts that Black features are a manifestation of a sacred and divine technology that has served as a means of survival, both physically and metaphysically. I envision a cosmically bountiful world that celebrates and pays homage to ancestral majesty, power, and aesthetics. Inspired by traditionally Black hairstyles, I use web- and catalog- sourced images to construct new archetypes. With my opulent, luminous paintings, I am creating a mythology centered on Black resistance and utilizing the body as a site of alchemy and divinity.

While at Headlands

I’m so excited to continue experimenting with material and expanding on the narrative aspects of my work. I can’t wait to be in a new environment and experience all the ways it will inspire me.

 

Artist photo by Kyle Flubacker.
An painting with abstracted figures against a grey-purple ground, a black-shrouded figure in the center.
"Listen, and Behold: A Story/Telling," 2020; acrylic, gouache, gold foil, silver foil, glitter, and collage on archival paper; 120 x 120 inches; photo by Chris Gardner Photo.
A painting of an abstracted black figure on a blue ground.
"Meet Me on the Other Side," 2021; acrylic, gouache, glitter, Swarovski crystals on linen with velvet and Black Tourmaline; 45 x 100 inches; photo by Chris Gardner Photo.
A painting of abstract blue forms
"The Ocean Beneath the Ocean with Water made of Diamonds," 2021; acrylic, gouache, abalone shell, and glitter on archival paper; 29 1/2 x 42 inches; photo by Chris Gardner Photo.
A painting of a brown figure on a brown and gold ground.
"We Could Be Related (You Know Who You Are)," 2021; acrylic, gouache, micaceous iron oxide, gold foil, glitter, black and pearl mica, and collage on linen with velvet and Obsidian; 45 x 100 inches; photo by Chris Gardner Photo.
An image of an abstract, collaged orb
"Africosmos #2 (I am a planet)," 2021; unique archival print hand embellished with glitter, abalone shell and Swarovski crystals; 52 x 52 inches; photo by Alon Koppel Photography.
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