Massiel Mafes

Region: MFA Annual

Website: https://www.massielmafes.com

City / State: NYC, NY

Through a combination of sewn and painted gesture, I explore the notion of ambiguity by capturing the visual moment of movement and manipulation. The cut forms of fabric sewn into the surface of my paintings are legible and abstract at the same time, allowing room for interpretation.

I integrate cutting, sewing, and painting, often repeating these processes multiple times as I explore ways in which the various shapes applied to the canvas can be perceived. With this approach, I both take control over the material and delve into the element of chance. Thick layers of paint and sewing thread are physically embedded within the surface of these pieces, and I reverse them multiple times as I work before attaching them to the larger composition.