Camille LaMothe

Traces, 2024

In conversation with established art styles and historical uses of media, my project focuses on the cyclical nature of violence throughout history - particularly in reference to war and genocide. With consideration to the brutality of this topic, I decided for my pieces to be gentle in nature. The news and history itself is saturated with violent imagery and these cycles repeat regardless, and so I wanted to explore a tender approach that focuses on humanity and personal relationships. 

My intention through painting and printmaking is to break down the barrier and perceived distance many may feel to instances of mass violence through the use of a visual device composed of stars and constellations. Despite our differences in age, race, gender, sexuality, religion, etc., we all exist on the same planet and under the same sky, and we should strive to make our time together peaceful by pushing for justice and equality. Though my project is visually light, it ultimately does serve as a call to action in the pursuit of ending violence in both global and personal contexts.

About the Artist

Although my work has been primarily crafted through digital art and photography for years now, I began as a traditional artist and I am returning to my roots with paintings, colored pencil pieces, and mixed media artworks.

My work utilizes starry visual motifs to focus on themes related to life, death, love, and grief. I also like to explore cycles in history to either challenge the notion that these cycles are inevitable or, in some cases, highlight the beautiful humanity of life cycles. 

Derived from personal stories, I like my artwork to speak to larger narratives that impact people globally, and politics are fueling my current works. One major influence of mine has been the Neolithic city Çatalhöyuk, as according to their tradition only children's bodies would have special decorations; there was nothing that signified differences in social hierarchy amongst the adults, no differences based on wealth or gender, and I found it so strikingly beautiful that such reverence was shown to the youth of their society. I aim to portray that same love and care for humanity within my pieces.

Currently, my driving motivation is to create artwork that is deeply honest and emotionally evocative. I want to create pieces that feel cathartic to view, something that can aid in the grief process.