We recently connected with Cee and have shared our conversation below.
Cee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I have always been fascinated by the nebulous line between the material and the spiritual, life and death. For decades I created abstract paintings and sculptures that attempt to express the ineffable. I wanted to create an experience for the viewer of being immersed in the art instead of simply viewing it from the outside. The suffering and multitude of deaths caused by the Covid-19 pandemic spurned me on to create an installation where folks could actually walk into the art. The installation “Release” was made of hundreds of iridescent hanging cocoon-like forms, each representing a person who had died from the virus. The installation was meaningful to me because I took the risk of breaking away from two dimensional art, which led to forthcoming installations in multiple galleries. Most importantly was the visible emotional response from those that experienced “Release”. It sparked joy in many, and was cathartic to some. A weary Covid-19 nurse spent quiet time in the space. She quietly told me afterwards, “that helped bring me closure”. Her response and that of others— keeps me making art.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
From an early age I was curious about “Why the hell am I here? What is this life about?” Making art has been a way for me to explore these deep questions and communicate what I have learned. I received a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Mills College where I won the Jay Defeo Award. My goal as an artist has been exploration and communication, so I found other ways to support myself financially. I create paintings sculptures and gallery installations that strive to express the interconnectedness of all things. Spiritual practice, psychotropics, meditation, lucid dreaming and Hospice care-giving have all inspired my art. Recently I have been interested in whole room installations using sticks, collagen, iridescent fabrics, threads and paints. Proud is not the word, but I am happy that I have never compromised my reasons for making art or how I make it, even though my reasons are intangible.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I have lived in the San Francisco Bay area, and Maui, but a few years ago I had to move to Columbus Ohio for family reasons. When I told folks I was moving to Ohio they looked at me with such pity! I had no idea of what to expect from the art world but-wow! There is a much more vibrant art scene in Columbus than I have experienced anywhere else. The reason is that big businesses pay a percentage of profits to the arts and many passionate people work hard at making it a vibrant art scene. There are lots of nonprofit galleries, festivals, and grants for creatives. I immediately felt welcomed and respected as an artist. The move was a pivot that worked out surprisingly well.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The reward is in the making itself. Creatives are always making art wether it is taking a walk, thinking of a new project or drawing a portrait. Most of us get in “the zone” where time and worries fall away and intuition takes over. How beautiful to actually do what we love to do!
The next most rewarding aspect is feeling the response from people who experience my art, especially someone who really groks it.
Contact Info:
- Website: art-cee.com
- Instagram: @ceemakesart
Image Credits
Cee6.jpg – image credit Parker Crabtree and Waylen Bennett Cee.jpg and Cee3.jpg by Iomi Patten the rest were by Cee