MARNE LUCAS

ARTIST STATEMENT:

My work celebrates life while posing questions about mortality, as influenced by my professional life as an artist and End of Life Doula. My 'Quietus' assemblages on paper use black & white infrared thermal (IRT) video stills revealing the actual, invisible energy of life, and express ideas about death and transformation; referencing the magic and fragility of human existence and ideas about our beginnings as part of the universe, that we are made of stars. 24 Karat gold, genuine silver, and copper metal leaf allude to ancient and contemporary uses of precious metals in spiritual work, energy and body healing, and ritual.  I’m inspired by experimental films of Maya Deren, Nature, surrealism, and personal experiences with the dying process and death. My artwork and caregiving are in celebration of life; in confronting our mortality we gain a sense of peace and live richer, more connected and compassionate lives.

BIO

Marne Lucas (she/her/they) is a multidisciplinary artist based in New York, USA whose practice spans photography, video and sculpture and social practice. Lucas works at the intersection of art, activism and health, using conceptual overlaps: life’s energy, intimacy, the body, mortality and transformation. The ‘Bardo ∞ Project explores creativity as a form of spiritual care in collaborations with terminally ill artists to establish their legacy. Towards this endeavor Lucas trained to be an End of Life Doula, a role that supports the dying and their families. An infrared thermal video pioneer, Lucas uses heat-sensitive imaging technology to conceptualize mortality and the spirit world. Marne is known for stylistic, on-location photographic portraiture, including the Sitting City artist portrait series. Lucas exhibits nationally and internationally at Plaxall Gallery (NYC), The Brand Library (Los Angeles), PICA (Oregon), Fremantle Arts Centre (Perth, AU), Space Plus (Lincoln, U.K), Peltz Gallery (London) and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (Spain). Lucas received UMEZ Arts Engagement grants in 2022, 2021, 2018 administered by the LMCC (NYC) and participated in a 2016 Arts/Industry factory based residency (Foundry, Pottery Divisions) at the Kohler Co. (Wisconsin).