Marcantonio built her concept from high fashion models whose sleek ideal forms seemed foreign and unattainable. That disconnect inspired her to attempt to define herself as maturing woman and a woman of beauty. She exploits her own body in the same manner as the bodies of models and challenges the viewer to identify the differences and similarities. The result is a hybrid character that is at the same time vulnerable and confident. The pieces bring out the strength in femininity and sexuality. There is a playful quality that Marcantonio emphasizes throughout these paintings that is remarkable; there is no longer a distinction between the model and the artist. She has blurred and fused both so that they become one. The works are dynamic and living, mid action, dressing/undressing, laying down or getting up, to the point of almost leaping off the canvas.

To counter the complex poses Marcantonio maintains a simple figure, not overly detailed, clean, easy to project upon, creating the ability to blur identity. Her poses can reflect a shyer or more conservative side while others are rebellious and aggressive. She delves into the challenges of defining herself, comparing herself, and ultimately, becoming herself while incorporating the various challenges of our consumer/beauty based society. Marcantonio has also explored her concept in performance pieces. Throughout an evening she has used different ensembles to express aspects of her own personality or of one quite foreign. She will assume the persona that she associates with the outfit and in turn develope it into a real persona. Marcantonio uses this production as an identity developing practice. The performances offer her an outlet to try on these characters whether frightening, exciting, or familiar. Each offers a learning experience and growth.

Lara began her studies in the arts at Maryland Institute College of the Arts. After a brief stint in graphic design she graduated with a degree in fine arts. In college she interned with the jewelry company Lydell. Currently works for artist and former professor Karen Gunderson in Manhattan while still a full time grad student at the School of the Visual Arts. She has been in several shows over the past few months; “Out of Fashion”, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, a group show at Tribes Gallery, and a show in Dortmund, Germany, to name a few. She truly is a one-woman machine.

Contact Lara: pinksparklepixie@hotmail.com