Artist Connects Experiences in Imagery

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By Robin Pierson, Special to the Independent

An example from Martha Fuller’s airport exhibit.
An example from Martha Fuller’s airport exhibit.

As she travels the world, award-winning artist Martha Fuller opens her mind and her camera shutter to the quirky and the mysterious, connecting seemingly disparate images to create an emotionally expressive memoir.

In her show “Transformations,” on display at John Wayne Airport, the Laguna Beach artist, writer, muse and mentor, metaphorically links photographs shot in the Caribbean and Africa. A green-fringed scarf draped over a ladder in Grenada beside branches wrapped by a web in Kenya, defies confines of place. The artist’s red toenails glowing beneath the surface of a wave, juxtaposed next to a gecko decomposing on a red polka dot tablecloth – creates an evocative link between two distinct moments of transformation. Driven by curiosity, Fuller photographs continually as she travels.

At home, usually in the dark wee hours, she goes through the images, seeing connections, illuminating experiences that endure after the actual images fade. Flames and smoke on a white woman’s bare back, flame in a black man’s cupped hand; a creature emerging from beneath the sand, a figure walking in the mist – all visions that give voice to Fuller‘s contention that “truth and beauty lie in the fusion of illusion and reality.” With master’s degrees in both English and fine arts, Fuller said that her global travels and explorations of indigenous cultures have given her more insights than her formal degrees. She has developed and taught courses and workshops in visual arts, photography, artists’ books, creative writing and literature at art schools, universities, museums and private venues throughout Southern California.

Her current exhibit can be seen on the Departure (upper) Level near the security screening areas in Terminals A, B and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4 now through Jan. 15. For more information on Martha Fuller and her courses, workshops or private consultation in creative writing, fine art photography, or visual art visit www.marthasmuse.com To view images from the JWA Exhibition visit www.marthafullerartist.com

Writer Robin Pierson is a local resident.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Martha,

    That’s a lovely article. I’ve viewed many of your travel photos. You do get around and certainly employ your travels in your art. Most impressive.

    You might take a look at my website to get some idea of what I’ve been doing of late. I just returned from a trip to Malaysia and Myanmar with my son who is now teaching art at the American International School in Kuwait. I’m working on some new short stories inspired by the trip and also revising a novel.

    Do keep in touch.

    All best,
    Elaine

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