We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marina Raike. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marina below.
Marina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I’m very happy to be an artist. It hasn’t always been easy, but through perseverance and the sheer compulsion to create, I’ve managed to stay on the path that I know is right for me. I’ve had so called regular jobs, but they simply didn’t provide the life satisfaction that my art practice does. Even when I’m engaged in the most laborious aspects, I’m grateful for the chance to bring my creative vision to the world.
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.
The essence of my art practice is the interconnectivity between humanity and nature. I’ve always wanted to be an innovative artist, so I studied at the Ontario College of Art and Design University, in the Experimental Arts Department. Working with various media led me to compose with raw minerals like scilica and mica. This was a natural evolution of my childhood hobby of rock collecting. My current body of work incorporates minerals from Ontario, Québec and Labrador.
My paintings symbolize the empathy I feel for nonhuman sentient beings, especially ravens and wolves. Each brushstroke is an act of love, and a fascinating study that sheds light on the movements and experiences of these remarkable creatures.
My sculptures resemble archæological discoveries encrusted with semiprecious jewels. The casts are made with water from lakes and rivers in Eastern Ontario. They signify our profound and invaluable connection to the Earth.
Overall, I would say my work combines the aesthetics of traditional painting, prehistoric cave art and postmodern cultural commentary.
I am represented by Sivarulrasa Gallery.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I am a strong supporter of collaboration in the arts. Over the course of my career, I’ve been a part of artists groups, including Symbiosis Collective in Toronto and The Ten Collective in the Ottawa Valley. Working within a collective amplifies media awareness and the support from institutions such as museums and grants councils. I also emphatically support the commercial gallery system. A gallery that connects your work with the public and collectors elevates you as an artist. This is essential to an artist who aspires to greater success and a legacy that extends beyond just making a living.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The hunger to create is fundamental. It is its own reward. When I began to study art at university, I gained a deeper understanding of its power to affect social change. I was fascinated by this. Whenever you think cynically about the power of artistic expression, remember that everything we do on a daily basis is immersed within a culture. This includes, science, religion and art. Real change must be rooted in culture. My goal is to be a force for good within this context
Contact Info:
- Website: marinaraike.com
- Instagram: @mraikeart