Emily Donjuan

  These pieces are a mixture of folk art, fine art, and craft art. I am really interested in the mixing of paints and fabrics in my work. The two mediums work together to combine both my academic training and the art of sewing passed down to me through my family. It is important to me that I preserve the preciousness of this craft that has survived through different generations. Along with the ideas of my family history, I present my own ideas that contribute to my concept. The work is filled with lettering, patterns, and symbols that represent my experiences with my own family. The compositions in my work are inspired by my interest in typography to the works of Margaret Killgallen. I want the work to be direct but open to interpretation.
My work not only deals with paintings, but with sculpture. I have created soft sculptures made of fabric and paint that break away from the confinements of a flat painting. The sculptures become objects that are easier to connect to because you can interact with them. They can exist in the confines of an art gallery to the comfort of your own home. I would like my work to be open to a broader audience through my use of materials and subject matter. It is important to me to establish a connection between my work and my family.