After the Desert Rains
CARMEN PEER
Santa Fe, New Mexico
BIOGRAPHY
Originating from El Paso,Texas my diverse identity was shaped by a bilingual upbringing and a family blending Chicana Mexican roots with Swedish immigration. As the only blonde-haired, blue-eyed member in my family, the intersection of cultural influences intensified through frequent relocations while raising a family in an array of living spaces across the Southwest and Mexico. Guided by my grandfather’s belief in the creative power within every individual, encapsulated in the dicho, “En cada cabeza hay un mundo,” my artistic journey transcends mere expression. I’ve tapped into art as a tool for celebrating my true greatest achievements: my children. My art and myself have been made in matrescence; always changing in the process that it is to become and evolve as a mother. I’ve had the privilege to study with Michele Cassou, Julie Schumer, Jeanne Oliver, Jane Burton, Tony Phillips, and Krista Harris. My passion lies in the ever shifting perspectives of large abstracts, reflecting not just artistic evolution but the profound layers of my inner growth. It’s a transformative process, a perpetual exploration of self amid place, people, and presence.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The constant movement in my life has deeply shaped my artistic perspective, emphasizing the significance of a sense of place. Each journey and relocation leave imprints on my work, fostering a dynamic interplay between the diverse landscapes I've encountered. This connection to place serves as a powerful undercurrent, infusing my art with a rich tapestry of experiences and emotions derived from my ever-changing surroundings. In my artistic exploration, themes emerge that resonate deeply with my childhood and familial experiences, ranging from indigenous figures to cosmic scenes of stars and sky; from memories of my mother’s kitchen to movements and energy being lived out in my grandchildren. Each piece reflects a dynamic interplay between these diverse themes, capturing the essence of my journey and personal evolution. As I delve deeper into my creative process, I am in constant flux, constantly seeking to explore the concept of oneness and unity in diversity. This exploration manifests in my art as a harmonious dance between the tangible and the intangible, weaving together elements of nature, spirituality, and human experience. Through my work, I aim to evoke a sense of interconnectedness and reverence for the beauty and complexity of the world around us. In my artistic process, the act of collecting objects from nature takes center stage, becoming a tactile and spiritual engagement with the world around me. These gathered treasures, infused with the energy of their origin, find their way into my creations, shaping the textures and narratives within my abstract works. Expanding beyond acrylics on canvas or paper, I embrace a mixed-media approach that includes fabrics, collage, and watercolors. This diverse palette allows me to develop depth through layering and weaving together the organic with the man-made, and capturing the essence of both the tangible and the ephemeral. Through this collection of materials, my art becomes a harmonious dance between nature's raw beauty and the expressive possibilities of various media, each contributing to the intricate storytelling embedded in my pieces.
