exhibit STATEMENT
The Grid We Live In is an exploration of dissonant themes coexisting in our world, mirroring the convergence of components found all around us:
structure & fragmentation
rigidity & softness
stability & fragility
predictability & chance
harmony & variance
independence & interdependence
In this body of work, small parts coalesce to form a whole that is greater than its parts, as seen in our environment. An intricate spectrum of colors form a rhythmic interplay that unfolds into a visual tapestry, like individual threads woven together into a fabric.
Irregularities in color arrangement suggest that even amid inconsistency, there can be overall synergy. This visual language invites the eyes to move across the grid, drawing the viewer to look closely, then to step back, taking in the larger composition, discovering and interpreting what is there.
We simultaneously negotiate constraints along with possibilities for expansive movement. Reminiscent of life’s incongruent realities, we also inhabit both limiting boxes and spaces beyond boundaries.
About the Artist
Melanka Coppola, was born in 1978 to Ukrainian-American parents and is a lifetime resident of Monmouth County. She is a mom to three sons, and a graduate of Rutgers Business School and Mason Gross School of the Arts (class of 2000). She rediscovered her passion for making art during the 2020 global pandemic. What began as daily creative challenges to cope with the stresses of quarantine, evolved into a new life trajectory.
The influence of and close relationship with her grandparents, all of Ukrainian descent, shaped Melanka’s childhood experience. Nostalgic for better times in Ukraine, the family preserved Ukrainian culture through ever-present traditions, music, food, and objects. The appreciation for vyshyvanka, or Ukrainian embroidery, was born at home. Her Ukrainian roots inform her art.
Melanka believes art is for everyone and our birthright. Her hope is "to spark the desire for people to surround themselves with creations that bring them joy and to inspire everyone to embark on their own creative journeys."
For more information on Melanka Coppola & her works:
Website: www.madebymelanka.com
Instagram: @MadeByMelanka
