Statement

I take perceived flaws and imperfections and give them a compelling
new life. 

 

My working process incorporates the ideals of Wabi Sabi. This aesthetic
is centered on the acceptance and beauty of transience and imperfection.
It refers to quirks and anomalies arising from the process of construction, which add uniqueness and elegance to both natural and man-made objects. In my work, there’s visible evidence of the maker’s hand. The odd assembly and disjointed mechanics reveal my process and address the ideals of perfectionism versus inherent human fallibility. 

 

Hope, second chances and authenticity are the values that I strive to incorporate into my artistic practice. I have been a painter, sculptor, designer, and builder of things all my life. I enjoy discovering uncommon and salvaged materials that I can re-purpose and transform into unique wall sculptures. The elements I use include, but are by no means limited to: wood, plaster, papier-mâché, paint, textiles, carpet, metal hardware, cardboard and foam board. Many of the wood remnants I find show a particular architectural usage or a sense of its own history. These foraged materials connect me to my community and are a continual source of inspiration. Being authentic in my process means accepting the failures and trusting that these too can be reimagined into new opportunities. These hybrid works that are both paintings and sculptures become my canvas
and manage to transcend their base materiality.

 

My work combines the geometries of Minimalism with the spontaneous spirit of the New Casualists. The intent for my work is to provide a sense of optimism in society's ability to reinvent itself. In the age of cancel culture, there are no second chances. So my work is a hopeful reminder that there’s beauty in the imperfections, and forgiveness for our perceived flaws. My work is distinguishable by its joyful and unorthodox approach to color
and form.

 

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Bio

Valerie Wilcox is originally from San Diego, CA, moved to Los Angeles and received her BFA in Graphic Design from Cal State University Long Beach. She continued her fine art studies at Otis College of Art & Design and Art Center College of Design and currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

 

Wilcox has been included in many local and international exhibitions including the Kölner Liste Art Fair in Cologne; Galleries in Wuppertal and Berlin, Germany; Brisbane, Australia; QiPO Art Fair in Mexico City; Stockholm, Sweden and Norway. She's shown locally at the Torrance Art Museum, Irvine Fine Arts Center, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Korean Cultural Center, Melissa Morgan Fine Art in Palm Desert, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art and the Palo Alto Art Center. She completed a three week residency in Stockholm, Sweden and showed in the subsequent exhibition there. Her work is collected internationally and in corporate collections including the Hyatt and Marriot hotels. She recently completed a large commission for the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego.

 

Wilcox has been published in the NY Times T Style Magazine, The Huffington Post, Coolibri Magazine in Germany, Veranda Magazine, Saatchi Art, Art Nerd in San Francisco, DiversionsLA and Art and Cake.