Bio:
Rene has worked professionally as a sculptor, painter, photographer, multi-media artist and educator for 40 years. She is an award-winning recipient in fine arts, sculpture, and photography. Rene’s artwork has been exhibited on both coasts and internationally. Her wide range and eclectic background has created a diverse portfolio that lends itself to her teaching a variety of art techniques.
Rene graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (BFA) in Classical Sculpture and Arts Education. She has been an Artist in Residence at many notable centers, including Master Artists in Residency Program at Northeastern University, (AAMARP) Boston, California Council on the Arts, and the Alana Community Outreach and Training Center in Vermont. Her work has been exhibited in many solo and group shows including the Museum of the National Center of African American Artists, Boston, Simmons College, Harvard University, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the International Arts exhibition at the University of Hawaii, Hilo.
Artist Statement:
Life on MARZ
Life on MARZ is an on-going series that began in isolation during the first months of Covid-19. It was clear to me that I wanted to create imagery that was life affirming and joyful. Color and content are always the guiding aspects of my work, yet a real sense of distance from what our global community was dealing with kept me from seeking ordinary topics. Escaping Earth was one idea to play around with, so I created a fictional satellite city called MARZ. Thus, began the whimsical journey of playing around with unknown imagery and a contrasting color palate, using acrylic paint on paper and wood, the work is open ended and has no real narrative except that it is not Earthbound.
Collage Wall Hangings
This new format of mixed media on canvas, paper and wood is an exciting approach for me, in that I find Collage is the best art form to explore both contextual and visual depths of the multilayered aspect of an idea that is unfolding. As an evolving artist steeped in social justice and cultural dynamics from various ethnic communities, I learned early on the power of imagery that can piece together disparate elements which bring into focus a poignant picture of an idea is what makes the Collage a worthy visual construct, and paramount in my work.