A R T I S T A B S T R A C T S
LINDA PETERS
Discard Collector & Montage Artist
Linda with Wastetopia | Jan 2024 | PDX
contributions:
The Blue Hole
The Portholes
The Galactic Mermaid
’I have been collecting and upcycling discarded gems from various categories, including found objects and curbside discards, for many years on my property. These treasures have found their place in my labyrinths and hulls, where I convert them into artistic clusters inspired by my own amusements and perspectives. I enjoy creating and telling stories that reflect my spiritual insights and energies that come to me through these relics and scraps, in quirky and unconventional ways.
The "Port Holes" in Wastetopia are small collections that tie into my artistic renderings of the Bagua, which is a map of areas that carry powerful messages, and creative and free-spirited interpretations from the past, present, and future. These nine distinctive areas are layers of earth elements, fairies, spirits, and energies from previously owned items - as I have experienced them.
Each area consists of carefully gathered and curated items from interesting sources along my various roadside journeys, scavenger hunts, and neighborhood curbside discards. They are playfully placed and magically spun into a connectedness behind my artistic eye.
For the past several months, I have been assembling my story and the illusions that tie to this year's theme: "What Glows Under Pressure". Working outside during the day and illuminating areas that come to life under the dark has been both challenging and invigorating. I have been amused and inspired by many people: neighbors, friends, and strangers walking by who stop to talk, ask questions, or donate objects.
Participating in the 2024 Winter Light Festival seems like an extraordinary experience to share my dwelling, yard, electricity, and environment in the name of immersive art. My intention all along was to convert my vicinity into a wonderland with something memorable for everyone’
impartguru@gmail.com
W E N D Y D A N I E L S
Regenerative and Visual Artist
Wendy | PDX Studio
contributions:
The Crystal Portal
The Flotsam and Jetsam Walkway
Handpainted Barrier Reef Curtain
’I am more than excited to be part of the 2024 Winter Light Festival because it has brought me closer again to the mediums I adore, awakening in me a spark that was waiting to be re-lit. The creation of the Crystal Energy Portal culminated in many months of luminescence that resurfaced from deep within. Utilizing scraps and discards as well as a mountain of gems and chachkies only deranged collectors understand, I’ve melded them with found relics in glass, crystal, metals, plaster, (even old CDs), and more. I’ve transformed each piece with vivid and inoculating fervor. With the addition of fluoro paints, resins, and shimmering glazes, new colors have found their way to my palette with a revival of my altruistic self that perhaps was relocated like a lost treasure - under the sea. With these new depths, I share my intentions by presenting this immersive and transforming experience.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the medium of glass and textiles. For 20 years, I owned and operated a high-end catering business in Portland, Oregon. As an entrepreneur, I chose to work closely with clients that benefited our planet. I traveled the world collecting and curating beautiful tabletop ware to create food displays befitting a grand feast. Catering taught me the value of timing and attention to every single detail.
Although it's been a while now, the many years I spent creating beautiful environments and experiences have allowed me to incorporate elements of my creativity into my work. One aspect of my collection that I'm particularly proud of is the use of glass, crystal dishes, and serving ware. The irony is not lost here’
Post-exhibit relics will be available to the public, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Portland Winter Light Festival. Available for commissioned creations.
wendydaniels39@gmail.com
J O Y A M E N A S H E
Concept Designer and Artist
Joya at Area 15 | December 2023
contributions:
The Ocean’s Eye
Reflection Reef
Flotsam and Jetsam Walkway
Website Design
“As long as I can remember I’ve had a paintbrush in my hand drawing or painting anything and everything I came in contact with. But my main inspiration has always been from nature. I am a Portland native designer/artist, et al. I think it’s important to say that because I’m loyal to this city. I get it. Recently, I’ve been inspired by a few trips to Meow Wolf - which opened me up to the energetic power - and joy of Dayglo and Neon, an inspiring segue into this show. I take pride in being somewhat methodical with the creative process and a contributor when brainstorming is essential. Anyone who knows me knows… if ideas are being tossed around I'm already sketching them while we speak.
Ironically, this year’s Winter Light Festival Theme is “What Glows Under Pressure”, because I have felt for many years as an artist and in my profession that I thrive under pressure, easily meeting that elusive word: deadlines.
I co-created the concept of this exhibit with Linda Peters. We have partnered on approx 15 art shows over the past 24 years. We are each other’s Yin and Yang regarding these events. It’s a team effort, putting it lightly…. and that equates to magic if we are lucky. Independently, I designed and created the Reflection Reef, as well as the Ocean’s Eye,
This exhibit has not been without its challenges: Outdoor installation with a major Ice storm, in the winter… what were we thinking? An interesting journey with my fellow artists: Linda Peters and Wendy Daniels, and the collaboration has been inspiring. Each of us contributed our visions and ideas in this 6-month+ process. I hope that anyone who plunges into our undersea Wastetopia adventure takes away some spark of enchantment’
Joya currently works as a Creative Marketing Director for Rose City Laboratories in Portland, OR, and co-owns Flixwix Candles with her life partner Vaune.
joyamdesign@gmail.com
Portland Winter Light Festival | Feb 2-10 2024 | PDX
Installation Location: 3037 NE Shaver St
Title artist: Linda Peters
Art installation “The Crystal Portal” by visual artist: Wendy Daniels
Contribution by concept designer Joya Menashe
This multi-dimensional immersive installation is our visual interpretation of an INVASION of RELICS collected at the bottom of the sea. It's the deepest part of the ocean where everything beyond sand and natural habitat sifts and settles on the ocean floor. In nature, it may be considered to some that these discards are relics. A relic is defined as an object surviving from an earlier time, especially one of historical or sentimental interest. Other insights to describe a relic would include scrap, remnant, curiosity, survival, memento, souvenir, artifact, and evidence. Hundreds of elements are incorporated in the art installation - nearly 100% upcycled and paired with storied references of where they were found, collected, or donated.
WASTETOPIA is the collaboration of local visual artists Linda Peters and Wendy Daniels, with contributions from concept designer Joya Menashe. The goal of this inspired immersive installation was to collect and gather this maraud of discarded relics and spin the intrusion into a compelling journey by depicting the ocean floor and its collected debris converted into earth energy portals by way of the visceral elemental Bagua. Visitors will discover multiple realms of underwater exploits, curiosities, and adventure, by offering an engaging, interactive, and stimulating experience. This creative and eclectic trio hopes that everyone will leave with a heightened sense of awareness and enlightenment.
: : GLOSSARY : :
:: Crystals ::
Crystals are similar to relics in that they are physical objects that establish a spiritual connection. This is a view into the cave and especially the liquid water which drops by drop creates the crystal. Every drop holds the history, soul, and heartbeat of humanity and nature.
:: Record Keepers::
The Record Keepers depict a deep crack in the ocean floor, where crystals are created and have been there for millions/billions of years. The Record Keepers is a vortex created out of water and light that is real time created in every time zone.
:: Light ::
Light is an aspect of divine presence perceived as light during a theophany or vision, or represented as such in allegory or metaphor. Light and color use throughout the installation will also exemplify a modem of psychedelic reaction. The pure light vortex which contains glowing light as mentioned in The Record Keepers.
:: Energy and Time ::
The energy of Wastetopia within its discarded, unwanted and spent elements contrasts with the value of time in two ways. By way of our historical, cultural snapshot of a planet that created, consumed, and tossed life away without regard for the natural rhythm. The other, a secret, hidden, precious, and safe utopia remaining there for all time.
Wastetopia in itself is a Future Relic being created in the NOW timezone - vestiges of life’s history. Unique objects, artfully arranged, glowing light, brilliant colors and recrafted relics created out of sentimental, spiritual and nostalgic references. This story in itself will be a record of our time in civilization allowing discovery under countless layers of continuance perhaps many thousands of years in the future.
Post-exhibit relics will be available for purchase to the public, with proceeds benefiting the Portland Winter Light Festival.
This is a self-guided walk-thru experience with the hope of an illuminating & transforming awakening.