About

In my work I search for a sense of wonder and invite observers to an adventure – a discovery of secrets hidden in the intricate detail of my paintings. To achieve this, I often work with an acrylic medium which becomes visible and glows under a specific ultra-violet light frequency. This technique allows my paintings to show secret imagery and come to life through an interactive process of exploration by the observer. By uncovering symbols suddenly illuminated by the special lighting, the explorer often describes a feeling of magic and revelation, which prompts further inquiry into the deeper symbolism of the piece. I am particularly interested in symbolic portrayal of nature, traditional crafts, dreams, shamanic, meditative and other spiritual experiences, as well as the feminine representation in various cultures. Through shamanic practice, meditation and dream analysis, I access visions of the subconscious and spiritual realms, worlds which I then materialize through various artistic mediums. In addition to personal spiritual practice, I often travel across continents to find connections between the mythic imagery and storytelling of various cultures, which informs my creative process with an element of syncretic study. Visual and musical storytelling is a way for me to connect to traditions of my Balkan roots, cultures I embraced while traveling and developing as an artist, and my present context in North America. I currently live, love and create in Cambridge, Massachusetts, painting stories with colors, vibrations and symbols that shine in the dark.

Artist Bio: True admirers of Symbolism, Visual Storytelling, and Traditions of the World would enjoy the artwork of Marija Draskic Brancazio. Born in the last years of Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, she spent most of her early twenties living the ebb and flow of Belgrade’s urban life (today Serbia), learning the struggles of a transitioning postwar society. Leaving her home country in 2015 to find opportunities of growth, took her across the world and eventually brought her to the USA. Since 2018, she has had many exhibitions and art projects locally and internationally.

Contact e-mail: mdbrancazio@gmail.com