My paintings and photographs seek to make sense of the perils that one encounters in the journey through life and raises issues such as physical pain and stereotypical beliefs. My work tells a story while broaching questions in both direct and abstract ways. After undergoing multiple neck surgeries resulting from competitive hunter/jumper horseback riding injuries, Marika knows what it is to live with chronic pain and its repercussions. I instill parts of my own life into the work while offering attempts at explanations of how we navigate through life, conveying physical and emotional challenges. The BodyScape photographs contrast hardships with the external world, whereas the Candy Pill paintings delve abstractly into the internal world of struggle. Through my work I create images that are compelling and direct. Please contact me regarding pricing at marikak@me.com.
HISTORY: Born in Los Angeles, CA
EDUCATION:
Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA, BFA Fine Art
Denison University, Granville, Ohio, BA Studio Art & Psychology
Westlake School for Girls, Holmby Hills, CA
EXHIBITIONS:
2012 - "Gem" - Gallery 825, West Hollywood, CA
2011 - "Gem" - Gallery 825, West Hollywood, CA
2011 - "Studio Visit" - Studio Visit Magazine, The Open Studios Press, Boston, MA
*(two paintings were selected for the Spring juried catalog)
2011 - "About Face" - Hous Projects, West Hollywood, CA
2010 - "Open Show 2010" - juried exhibition curated by Franklin Sirmans - Curator of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Gallery 825, West Hollywood, CA
2010 - “39NOW” - Den Contemporary, West Hollywood, CA 2010 - “Gem” - Gallery 825, West Hollywood, CA
2010 - “Annual Benefit Auction” - Gallery 825, West Hollywood, CA 2010 - "Sick in the City" - UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
2009 -2010 - “In Bed Together” - Royal/T, Culver City, CA
2009 - “Cube” - LACDA, Los Angeles, CA
2009 - “Raid Projects Resident Show” - Raid Projects, Los Angeles, CA
2009 - “Top 40 International Juried Award Show” - LACDA, Los Angeles, CA
2009 - “Top 40 Travels to the Museum” - California Museum of Photography, Riverside , CA
2008 - “Raid Projects ArtWalk Show” - Raid Projects, Los Angeles, CA 2007 - “Raid Projects Resident Show” - Raid Projects, Los Angeles, CA
2002 - “Byzantine Contemporary Art” - LA River Hall, Los Angeles, CA 2001 - “Warehouse Extravaganza” - Pop-up Gallery, downtown Los Angeles, CA
2000 - “Plastic Fantastic” - Pop-up Gallery, downtown Los Angeles, CA
1999 - “Hybrid/Hybreds” - graduate solo show, Art Center, Pasadena, CA
1999 - “For Your Eyes Only” - Art Center Del Mar graduate gallery, Pasadena, CA
1999 - “Spring Juried Exhibit” - Art Center Main Gallery, Pasadena, CA
1998 - “Fall Juried Exhibit” - Art Center Main Gallery, Pasadena, CA 1994 - “Find Yourself, Together" - Denison University graduate show, Granville, Ohio
1993 - “Model Me” - Denison University, Granville, Ohio