Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Stankiewicz
Hi Juliana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a NYC based artist who has been actively practicing fine art for over twenty years. I grew up in Northern NY and studied painting and film at Syracuse University in Florence, Italy and New York. My work is widely centered on identity and varies in materials ranging from painting, photography, and three-dimensional forms.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes and no. For some background, I earned my undergraduate degree from Syracuse University, where the focus was on creating art with a meaningful message rather than perfecting a single technique. On the plus side, this philosophy taught me to communicate effectively across various mediums. Although I previously delved into photography, projections, and light boxes, I am now concentrating exclusively on oil painting. This shift has been both exhilarating and challenging, as I continually work to master new techniques through practice, artist residencies, and museum visits.
However, the art world in New York City is highly competitive, presenting its own set of challenges, particularly in terms of networking and gaining visibility for my work. While I take great pride in my current body of work, I occasionally reflect on the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree immediately after graduation. My undergraduate experience provided a broad exploration of mediums and future possibilities without a singular focus. I sometimes wonder if apprenticing with a painter I admired or continuing my education might have streamlined my learning process and opened doors earlier in my career. However, the prohibitive cost at the time made further education an impractical option.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am very exciting about my current series, “Woman as Object,” which started during my recent residency stay at OBRAS in Portugal. This work is a direct response to the tumultuous socio-political climate and a profound frustration with recent anti-choice abortion rulings. My goal is to explore and critique female representation through a blend of oil painting, photography, and performance, challenging the notion of women as mere fragments of themselves, devoid of agency.
In this series, I intentionally draw upon the tradition of still life painting—one of the only genres that was historically accessible to women, often commissioned by men as symbols of wealth and status. The still life genre featured objects like exotic fruits, luxurious fabrics, and precious jewels, serving as visual markers of opulence and refinement.
By reimagining this tradition, I present intimate portrayals of the female form, intertwined with everyday still-life elements. Through evocative compositions and pleasing colors, I aim to confront societal constructs and invite viewers to engage with the complexities of gender, power, and representation, all while enjoying the aesthetic experience of the final product.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I’ve noticed a growing emphasis on texture in the art world recently, with textiles and weaving gaining significant attention. It’s exciting to see this trend unfold. Amidst the buzz around AI, which understandably causes some anxiety among artists, it’s important to remember that AI can only recycle existing ideas rather than create what’s yet to be created. When harnessed effectively, technological advancements—such as using AI for inspiration images—can enhance the creative process rather than overshadow it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @julianas.artwork
