Celia’s expressive and exuberant paintings belie the specificity and rigor of their making. Through hand gestures that appear improvised and loose, her work engages with complex issues inherent to the practice of painting: the orientation of ground and forms, the relationship between colors and the tension between elements tangible and conceptual. 

Her approach has been discussed in the context of Provisional Painting, a style of painting that favors looseness and intentional inconclusiveness. Celia’s powerful yet delicate touch endows her work with an exuberance that finds its expression in dramatic color combinations and organic forms.

Celia was born and raised in NYC and lives in Montclair, NJ, She graduated from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, and immediately immersed herself in the creative scene in New York and New Jersey. Curious by nature, Celia has spent the past 20 years cultivating creativity in her life and her work – first as a fashion designer, then through visual merchandising and interior design. In 2013, Celia came back to fine art, creating her first body of work in 18 years.

Artist Statement

It took 18 years to break through my fear of how to approach my art. I had to let go and be in a vulnerable space to create art that came from within. I learned to let my inner wisdom guide me and free my spirit to share the love, passion and raw emotion I felt inside. The initial re-discovery of my inner artist was liberating and euphoric. I have not looked back or hesitated since completing my first painting, “Grit” in 2013. It was created in a New York City hotel in an all-white square box of a room in a state of oneness, gratitude, and prayer. Since the emergence of “Grit”, I have approached all of my paintings in a similar way. In communion with the divine, I allow the emotions to flow onto the canvas using my squeegee, hands, brushes, acrylic paints; whatever is instinctual for me to use so that the forms can reveal themselves as expressed language. I draw inspiration through nature’s beauty, life’s adventures and personal hardships, fashion fantasies, and human connections. Growing up in New York City in the ‘70s and early ‘80s, I was immersed in a period of social discord, art revolutions, and diverse cultures /communities. The birth of hip hop and punk music will always be a part of the core influences relevant to my work. As I continue to evolve, create and discover more of myself through my art I hope it brings light ,hope and ultimately, a joy and love that will serve and inspire others on their journey.

Exhibitions

Celia co-produced and exhibited in a women's group show, "Divine Inspiration" in Montclair NJ, 2013. In 2014-2015 was invited to showcase her work, "Abstract Abstraction" at the PI Fine Art Gallery in Toronto, ON. Where she gained recognition, and sold her work to private collectors, designers and public institutions. In 2016 Celia has her first solo show "The Butterfly Effect"  at Basemeant WRX ART Gallery in Montclair, NJ to much Fanfare. Locally, She Participated in Open Studio exhibits for Gateway Project Spaces in Newark, NJ, and the Montclair Art Walk. She ended 2016 Debuting The "Toronto series" at the Raw Artist Holiday Show Case in Toronto, ON. This year Celia has been invited to exhibit and be represented by the Art Fusion Galley in the Wydwood District in Miami, FL (2017). In 2018 she was invited to participate in an alumni group exhibition “The Echo’s of Freedom “ at the Snyder Academy in Elizabeth, NJ, “The Montclair Art Wall” exhibit in Montclair NJ and A Women’s Empowerment group panel discussion and Art Exhibit at So Wisdom in Montclair, NJ. In 2019 invited to show case “Vibrational Sphere” at The Hampton House Galleria for the Montclair Spring Art Walk, in Montclair, NJ and recently exhibiting in a group exhibition “Points of View” celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month at Sotheby’s International Reality in Montclair NJ. The Oakside Art Group Exhibition in Bloomfield, NJ.

Representation

USA:

Heather Carter
Carter Fine Art Services
heather@carterfineartservices.com|email for art inquiry and availability

Celia Feliciano Art Alchemy, LLC
info@celiafeliciano.com

Online Representation:
saatchi gallery
saatchiart.com/cfeliciano