Jacqui Crocetta—Artist Statement

For some time, I have been creating mixed-media paintings and sculptures that bring attention to the complex problem of human suffering, celebrating resilience and the possibility of healing. Most recently, I have been motivated by a heightened awareness of our interconnectedness and the impact of our actions on one another and the environment. Within my layered paintings, I pay tribute to the awe and wonder I feel for nature and our universe story, while responding to issues that particularly concern me, such as the prevalence of plastic marine debris, overfishing, coral bleaching, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events.

At the onset of the pandemic, my method of painting changed radically. I developed a hybrid style of painting and drawing comprised of washes of color and intricate mark making that create rhythmic patterns. Sweeping gestures and the pulse of tattoo-like marks activate the surface of my paintings emphasizing movement—a signature characteristic of all living organisms. While elements of my abstract compositions reference nature, the configurations are not quite of this world. In my recent paintings, harmony rubs up against discord to create a subtle friction in the work that makes space to think about our impact on the environment.

The paintings can be read on two different levels. From a distance, they may be perceived in their entirety, but they offer densely patterned surfaces that are only perceptible when viewed in close proximity. I often find myself working with repetitive processes that slow down time and create a state that is conducive to reflection. While painting, I contemplate the majesty, mystery and plight of the natural world. I ponder the fragility of vulnerable populations and our planet, the potential for healing, and the call to action we must heed if we are to avoid the very real potential of another mass extinction.

Jacqui Crocetta is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County Government and the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County

"In the Shelter of Each Other" honors and brings attention to the victims of extreme weather events that have become more prevalent due to climate change. Wild fires, heat waves and floods disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. What will inspire us to make necessary sacrifices to better protect vulnerable people and our planet? “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live”—Irish proverb

"Sentinel" was created in response to the vulnerability we feel while witnessing the suffering of other human beings. It's about those times when we cannot say or do anything to help the situation and though we may be feeling awkward or inadequate, we make the choice to be present and hold the space of compassion.

"Undercurrent," a site-specific installation, was developed in response to the near drowning experience I had as a young child. Through EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) I recalled this traumatic event so vividly that I was gasping for air, I became aware of how profoundly it influenced my response to stress throughout my life, and I learned to reprocess the memory and triggers so that they no longer elicit a visceral stress response. As a result, I now have a far greater sense of calm in all stressful situations. The large funnel form in this work represents the fine line between life and death. Is it a means to access oxygen or a way for water to enter the lungs?

“Protect. Nurture. Release.” is a series of works that center on the complex mother-child dynamic. I am interested in how the struggle between opposing forces and an ever-changing shift in roles, is what shapes the mother-child relationship. I am fascinated by the ‘letting go’ that is necessary to realize human potential, and the feelings of both loss and joy that are an integral part of transitions. The centerpiece for this series is a dress I created from grapevine twigs and wire during my daughter's senior year in high school. I awoke in the middle of the night with the understanding that the word 'nest' in 'leaving the nest' meant 'heart.' What started as a bodice-shaped empty nest turned into a complete dress—the lower portion of the dress resembling a teepee-shaped dwelling. The complete installation includes a bed of twigs collected from each of the schools my daughter attended (click here for installation view).