Congratulations to artist Morgan Abenhaim, our latest ArtResin Winner!
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Morgan is "a Multimedia artist working in a wide range of materials and tapping into a variety of techniques."
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Morgan is "a Multimedia artist working in a wide range of materials and tapping into a variety of techniques."
Describe the type of art you create:
The easiest answer is eye portraits - but if I were to really dive into it the pieces are explorations of existence and the invisibilia we all experience on a day to day basis utilizing the eye as a way to express that. The iris is my choice of use because it allows me to create portraits of family, friends and loved ones while simultaneously stripping my subjects of all physiological markers and societal constructs that we project on to one another and narrows in on the intensity of eye contact to tap into that connection.
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
Not directly but I think the way I grew up indirectly impacts the way my art has developed and circled back to using the eye of my subjects as a main focal point.
What's your art background? Are you self-taught or did you study art?
According to my parents, as an infant since I could sit up and grip I would scribble for hours. It was something my parents really encouraged and nourished. I did attend various art programs throughout my schooling and ended up getting a BFA at OCAD University
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I create around work hours. In some way being a full time artist is appealing but I love the creative freedom around my work that I get from having financial stability from other work. I find it gives me the opportunity to make the work I feel called to make and excited to create rather than creating work that I feel I have to make to live.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
I love how intimate and ritualistic each medium is, they all in their own respects have become their own spiritual practice, meditation and self exploration. Tapping into a creative flowstate feels like a sacred experience and moment of divine channeling.
How did you discover resin?
When I first dropped out of university at 19 for psych I went to work for a year while I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. In my off hours I got licensed as a make up artist for special effects and prosthetics for film and television. The film industry wasn't a great fit for me but it's where I initially learned about mold making, and working with materials such as resin and acrylic; it was the portal back to my art practice and the redirection to art school.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
It has added a layer of depth and allowed me to tap into some the ethereal elements of my exploration within my work that I felt limited by when using different methods and materials.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
A lot of my inspiration comes from personal experiences, and different things I see, read and listen to.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
It's not so much as a why or what.. more so I have to. In many ways making art is like breathing- I need it to live. Otherwise I suffocate and shrivel. Theres something within me that needs to create in order to survive- I can't really explain it any other way.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Yes.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
This isn't for me to say in all honesty, art is subjective because people take what they need from it. Far be it from me to tell people what to see, think or feel. The art is an experience unique to each viewer.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
Being able to create freely and sharing it with the world in whatever capacity that looks like.
What's your favorite resin tip you'd like to share with our readers?
Keep your measurements precise or prepare to be humbled.
Where do you sell your work?
Mostly at exhibitions, or through Instagram.
Congratulations on your win, Morgan!
To see more of Morgan's art:
Follow her on Instagram: @morganabenhaim
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have shared the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: Celebrating 10 Years As The Original Epoxy For Resin Art!
