Andrea wedell

 Statement

My work delves into the intricate tapestry of my identity as a bi-cultural Northern California native, straddling the aesthetics and values of both my French and American heritage. These canvases are an exploration of the nuanced experience  underpinning these dual identities.

I aim to encapsulate the essence of two worlds colliding, intertwining, and coexisting. The canvas becomes a portal into a fragmented duality striving to be made whole, where the bold, audacious, creative and childlike American spirit, exists alongside the rich, layered, sometimes intimidating depths of the European. 

​My influences include Pierre Bonnard,with his use of intense color and simplified composition, Australian artist Elizabeth Cummings, French artist Fabienne Verdier with her bold use of large gestural calligraphy and and Chinese French artist Zao Wou Ki. Color plays a crucial role throughout my process, evoking moments, feelings, and a connection with place. Each painting serves as a form of visual poetry where the parts and pieces create a harmonious whole among contrasting elements, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the complexities of any bi-cultural identity. It is a celebration of diversity, a testament to the richness that arises when two distinct worlds converge.

Ultimately, this series is not merely a reflection of my own experiences but a broader exploration of the beauty found in cultural fusion. It is my hope that through these paintings, viewers will be inspired to embrace their own unique cultural identities and find beauty in the harmonious blend of diverse perspectives.