Installation of MaryAnn Lucas’ work

Mary Ann Lucas is the next artist I’m bringing into Total Plaza Gallery. Here is an installation shot.

Installation shot of MaryAnn Lucas' mixed media work.

I am the last of 9 children born into a poor, immigrant family. My earliest recollection of artwork was drawings of crosses at age 5 after my father died. Dealing with such tragedies and trauma early in life taught me to surround myself in the protective environment of my artwork. I can safely peel back the layers of my life like an onion to reveal myself, my life; the happy, the sad that I experience day to day, year to year. I have no fear of judgment or ridicule; the canvas and paper patiently and silently await my touch – my dialog. Most of my work starts with a recycled piece of my artwork or just playing with paint on paper, a throw away to many, given a chance at a new life. Layering paint, and paper, along with line drawings, allows bits and pieces to peek through which reminds me of the way I, as a shy child, would peak around a wall of protection – looking to see if it’s safe to come out. I feel my artwork expresses my mood and state of mind directly through texture, shape, line and color or lack thereof.

– MaryAnn Lucas

MaryAnn Lucas’ mixed media work has a voice. It speaks to the viewer with tones that are soft and layered. The viewer is allowed to hear short, whispered statements reflective of life, love, joy, loss, etc. overlaid in no particular order but the chorus is a rich one. Her choice of materials and skills in their application are evident and indicate the level of care and thought she puts into their appearance. Displaying an artist’s soul is hard to do well, however, MaryAnn successfully expresses herself, her soul, in the works presented here.

 –  Matt Adams, curator