GINA MINICHINO
GINA MINICHINO
Artist Statement
I like to think that my food paintings are a bit of a time capsule... especially the foods in their package. I like to explore the contrast between a wrapper and the edible that is inside, sometimes peeking out. The graphic design of the package is such a big part of the attraction, and I like to be able to preserve some of them in my paintings for all time.
To me, the delicacies I paint represent comfort. But more than that, as an adult, I’m fascinated by how the products have come to look. They are made to draw us in. The thought brings me back to a college assignment that instructed us to make something beautiful out of a practical object from industry, something not meant to be attractive. We were hard-pressed to find an object that fit this description. The challenge of that assignment has stayed with me over the years and I often return to it as I do my current work. All of these things are meant to look a certain way. Many people have played a part in presenting us with a visual that would make us spend our money, and actually eat the product!
My desire is to bring a greater intimacy of all of these objects to the viewer and perhaps have them question whether they are drawn to them, and if so, why?
I had been a bit of a pack rat in my youth, and recently I’ve been exploring the objects I’ve collected. My desire is to paint some of my collectibles as a final expression of my relationship with them, and hopefully... ultimately, let them go.
Whether the subject is food or a toy, I like to represent these objects in a quiet and contemplative form, I believe they can represent a time of joy or even bring out some darkness in their solitude.
To me, the delicacies I paint represent comfort. But more than that, as an adult, I’m fascinated by how the products have come to look. They are made to draw us in. The thought brings me back to a college assignment that instructed us to make something beautiful out of a practical object from industry, something not meant to be attractive. We were hard-pressed to find an object that fit this description. The challenge of that assignment has stayed with me over the years and I often return to it as I do my current work. All of these things are meant to look a certain way. Many people have played a part in presenting us with a visual that would make us spend our money, and actually eat the product!
My desire is to bring a greater intimacy of all of these objects to the viewer and perhaps have them question whether they are drawn to them, and if so, why?
I had been a bit of a pack rat in my youth, and recently I’ve been exploring the objects I’ve collected. My desire is to paint some of my collectibles as a final expression of my relationship with them, and hopefully... ultimately, let them go.
Whether the subject is food or a toy, I like to represent these objects in a quiet and contemplative form, I believe they can represent a time of joy or even bring out some darkness in their solitude.
