Evolution of Art: Sky Study by Michelle Sanzi Kermes... Artist Statement

Artist Statement for Michelle Sanzi Kermes's current exhibit, Sky Study:

This series of work is based on my experience of living in Leeds, England, for three years (November 1, 2005, to December 31, 2008). Our home was on a steep hill overlooking the valley of the Yorkshire Dales. Truly a beautiful place! Near to us was Haworth -- home of the Bronte sisters. The English weather was ever changeable, minute to minute. The sky became my muse. I hadn't seen so much personality dripping from above until being there.

 I work in series, creating as many as six new drawings or paintings at a time. These works are pastel drawings on fabric. I had effectively been away from my studio for almost eight years. In January of 2010, while looking through a flat file drawer, I found this "fabric," which I have always called pastel paper. No one knows what it is -- I have been to every art supply store, to an upholsterer, three fabric stores, Home Depot, and framing suppliers. Evidently, however I came to have this is meant to be lost in the ether by which it appeared. 

The newer works are on more conventional fabrics, though not on conventional art papers. Fabric is 100% archival (the color won't fade, nor deteriorate) and is lightweight while being tough enough for the pastel.

About the Artist:

Michelle Sanzi Kermes received her Master's of Contemporary Fine Art Practice from Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK, in 2008. Her multi-disciplinary art practice includes painting, printmaking, film, collage, installation work, and collaborative work.


 Sanzi is also a collector of "stuff." Her current collecting passions are postcards mailed to her from strangers, abandoned shoes that she notices along the side of the road, handmade artist books, and a documentation of every Scrabble game she has played since 2000. The concepts behind Sanzi's art practice relate to language, identity, sense of place, and the processes involved with art making.



You're invited to meet Michelle Sanzi Kermes  
on Sunday, March 20th, from 2pm to 4pm. 
Come have a chit-chat, see her work and learn more about her approach to her art.


Sanzi's work is on display at Beanetics Coffee Roasters through the month of March, 2011!