about
MELANA BONTRAGER
Artist Statement
I believe everyone has a story to tell. Our stories are comprised of families, conflicts, acquaintances, friendships, loves, and loss. Within our stories, individual experiences can sometimes feel fragmented, out-of-place, useless, or random at best. And yet, we find ourselves able to connect to the stories of others because we identify with the disjointed spaces revealed through honest vulnerability; there is often a captivating beauty that grows from these fragmented places. What once felt pointless, can begin to hold meaning. As we listen to each other’s stories, we discover connections, hope, and a reminder that we don’t traverse this life alone. It is my goal to represent these beautiful discoveries through my painting.
My current work incorporates structures that are at the same time intriguing and impossible. My intent is to use these structures to explore the experience of community in both urban and rural settings; to consider how they influence each other, and to explore the verbal and non-verbal dialogues that ensue. We live in community. We cannot escape how we affect one another. Our consideration—or lack of consideration—for our fellow human beings makes a difference. While we may not agree with the beliefs of our neighbors, we can affirm the story of every person, recognizing that our value and worth lies not in our beliefs, but our personhood. Just as there is no “right” type of human being, so these shapes are not measured or “correct”. Rather, they embody a beauty despite their imperfections. They invite the viewer to stop and consider, to emotionally interact with and to wonder. My hope is that these works would stimulate conversation about how we relate to one another in our everyday moments. My hope is that we consider these shapes and their environments, and how they might represent a piece of each of our stories.