SCULPTURE PORTFOLIO

Visual Artist

Mixed-Media Sculptures

Portfolio

Contact

All Social Media: @MGNapierart

website

www.mgnapierart.com

mgnapierart@Gmail.com

Maria Napier

Visual Artist

Maria Napier is a Colombian-American artist based in Charlotte. She earned a BA in Psychology and Communication Studies from UNCC which she uses to understand human behavior, expressing her observations through art.

Her “Deconstructed Style” fuses different approaches into colorful illustrations and mixed-media sculptures. Maria’s thought-provoking pieces aim to inspire new perspectives on mental health and self-awareness.

She is a self-taught artist that uses acrylic and recycled materials to craft mixed-media sculptures and paintings. Her artwork has been featured at several venues and events in Charlotte, including the SafeAlliance Breakfast of Hope featuring one of her mixed-media sculptures as the centerpiece and marketing for the 2023 campaign. She was a recipient of The Infusion Fund in 2023, enabling her to create a large mural and facilitate art-healing workshops for underrepresented pregnant women in the community.

She has been part of Charlotte SHOUT, the Charlotte International Art Festival, and she actively participates in group exhibits and public art projects in the Charlotte Metro area.

Sample Works

Unmasking my Roots

Breaking the Mold

The Two Sides of Me

Eternal Queen

Blossoming

The Rebirth of Death

Beautifully Broken

That Place in my Dreams

Awaken

Click link or scroll down

Unmasking my Roots

Year: 2024

Medium: Mixed media sculpture

Dimensions: 30” tall, 24” length, 18” wide.

Description:

Hand-painted vintage mannequin torso with sculptural features using recycled materials and clay/foam clay.

Head materials: Two side faces carved out of recycled styrofoam, secured with adhesive and foam clay, hand-painted eyes and decorative details.

Flowers: EVA foam.

Roots: Carved on recycled styrofoam.

Torso: Recycled tissue paper, clay/foam clay, styrofoam, recycled faux gem, hand-painted details.

For:

“The Journey” exhibit- by The International House - CIAF/Blumenthal Arts 2024.

Currently displayed at the Knight’s Theater and Legion Brewery- Charlotte, NC

Details

Inspiration

The immigrant experience is often misjudged or misunderstood, even by immigrants ourselves. It's not just about leaving everything behind in search of a better tomorrow; it's also about the emotional toll that builds up with each holiday, each birthday, each day.

We develop "masks" to face the world, sometimes wearing ones that don't align with our true essence or roots.

I wanted to capture this complexity. A symbolic and complex root system embraces the bust, climbing toward the face, "unmasking" the emotions of sadness and fear to reveal a peaceful and joyful face. "Stone" steps lead to the center of the chest, where a gem symbolizes the heart.

It is important to acknowledge all emotions, good and bad. With this piece, I highlight the concept of “leaving our roots behind” and rewrite it as “embracing my roots to move forward” as our roots make us stronger, and our resilience lives within our hearts.

Back to Index

Breaking the Mold

Year: 2023

Medium: Mixed media sculpture

Dimensions: 34” tall, 16” length, 10” wide.

Description:

Hand-painted vintage mannequin torso with sculptural features using recycled materials and clay.

Head materials: Recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, paper, duct tape, clay/foam clay.

Torso: Recycled tissue paper, clay/foam clay, hand-painted.

For:

Created for the “Thrive” exhibit at the Charlotte Art League, Charlotte, NC. 2023.

*Available upon request

Details

THRIVE Exhibit at Charlotte Art League

Inspiration

As I worked on this piece I reflected on the importance of self-love. I thought of my own darkness and the power of the light within.

I wanted to make a statement of resilience. I wanted to express my inner darkness and the light within. The darkness that NEVER leaves and the light that hasn’t yet been extinguished.

I hope that when you look at her you can understand that she was abused, assaulted, and cursed. I hope you can see that even when she is at her darkest, the cold stone that imprisoned her wasn’t strong enough to hold the power of the light within. ✨I hope that you can see that she is breaking the mold and allowing herself to shine.✨

Back to Index

The Two Sides of Me. “Duella”

Year: 2023

Medium: Mixed media sculpture

Dimensions: 33” tall, 16” length, 10” wide.

Description:

Hand-painted vintage mannequin torso with sculptural features using mostly recycled materials.

Wing materials: Wire ribs of an old umbrella, cardboard, and duct tape. Secured and bolted to mannequin.

Feathers: Crafted from aluminum soda cans and secured with foam clay.

Chain: Recycled insulation foam tube and wire.

Left Arm: Wood, EVA foam, foam clay.

For:

Created for the “Unbound” exhibit at the Charlotte Art League, Charlotte, NC. 2023.

This piece was also chosen and featured by SafeAlliance to be the face of the 2023 “Breakfast of Hope” campaign.

*Available upon request

Details

Breakfast of Hope by Safealliance

UNBOUND Exhibit at Charlotte Art League

Inspiration

“The Two Sides of Me” is inspired by my healing journey. I want to convey the duality of feelings that can affect trauma survivors. The constricting emotions of guilt, shame, and pain as well as those of hope, light, and healing. With this piece, I aim to help others recognize and confront their own inner struggles and find the courage to seek the help they need.

Back to Index

Eternal Queen

Year: 2023

Medium: Mixed media sculpture

Dimensions: 33” tall, 14” length, 13” wide.

Description:

Hand-painted vintage mannequin torso with sculptural features using recycled materials and clay/foam clay.

Head materials: Recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, EVA foam, foam clay, recycled faux gold chain, hand-painted eyes.

Collar: Foam clay, hand-painted details.

Torso: Foam clay, hand-painted.

For:

Displayed at The Artisan’s Palate, Charlotte, NC. November 2023.

*Available upon request.

Details

Inspiration

I've always been fascinated by Egyptian mythology and culture, but even more by the idea of a woman in power and in a position to influence such a vast empire.

Eternal Queen is an ode to women. This piece is a reminder of the regal energy that lives eternally within our souls.

Let love and kindness guide your way and nurture your full potential.

Keep your head up high, queen.

Back to Index

Blossoming

Year: 2023

Medium: Hand-painted Mannequin bottom

Dimensions: 23” tall, 12” length, 9” wide.

Description:

Detailed and hand-painted with acrylic paint and acrylic markers for fine lines.

For:

Project “Enough” - Resilience exhibit

Displayed at the VAPA Center- Charlotte, NC- 2023

*Available upon request

Details

Inspiration

This piece draws inspiration from the bravery of women worldwide who courageously confront the obstacles of living in predominantly patriarchal societies while cherishing self-worth, love, and resilience.

Women are not solely defined by their reproductive abilities. Through this piece, I aim to illustrate that beyond biology and despite societal pressures that may attempt to shatter us, we have the strength to rebuild ourselves and reveal the inner beauty, light, and hope that reside within. It's time to allow this radiant aspect of ourselves to blossom.

Back to Index

The Rebirth of Death

Year: 2024

Medium: Mixed-media Sculpture

Dimensions: 19” tall, 10” length, 8” wide.

Description:

I used materials I found in my home to create this piece.

Base: Thick recycled cardboard and styrofoam

Skull/Tree: Carved recycled styrofoam, plaster, foam clay, moss, hand-painted details.

Mushrooms: styrofoam, foam clay.

Currently at Activation Studios

*Available upon request

Details

Inspiration

I created this piece using mostly recycled materials to show that we can repurpose otherwise trash to create beautiful or useful things, giving these materials a second chance.

A skull represents death or something we might be afraid to confront, it lays within a loving tree that embraces its beauty, forgiving its past, and providing the environment to thrive.

A "rebirth" to the "death" of what most consider trash, and just like these materials, we, humans also deserve second chances to show how we can shine and learn from our experiences.

This piece is a reminder to be kind to others, and especially to be kind to ourselves.

Back to Index

Beautifully Broken

Year: 2023

Medium: Hand-painted Fiberglass Giant Easter Egg

Dimensions: 48” tall, 36” in diameter

Description:

Fiberglass giant egg on a steel base. Detailed and hand-painted with acrylic paint.

For:

Eggs on Parade- Charlotte SHOUT 2023

Displayed at “The Green” park - Charlotte, NC- 2023

Details

Inspiration

There’s beauty and meaning, even in broken pieces. By using bright colors, and deconstructed figures (giving the illusion of being broken in pieces but still together as a whole), I want to remind the viewer to take a step back and realize that small pieces can be beautiful individually and even if “broken” we are still part of a whole. One whole, constantly learning soul full of love, movement, and color.

Through colorful and whimsical deconstructed illustrations, I communicate the need to think outside societal labels and end stigmas associated with mental health. I challenge the viewer to search for emotions that might feel conflicting or foreign to them. Even when it’s uncomfortable to talk about, our mental health is as important as our physical health and that recognition and awareness are the first steps toward healing.

Even if “broken”, you’re still beautiful.

Back to Index

That Place in My Dreams

Year: 2023

Medium: Mixed-media Diorama

Dimensions: 14” tall, 20” length, 5" wide

Description:

Hand crafted diorama made with mixed materials

Box: Recycled wooden box, LED lights, hand-painted with acrylic paint.

Tree house: Carved recycled styrofoam, adhesive, sealant.

Deer skull: EVA foam, aluminum foil, foam clay, paint.

Mushrooms/stones/Flowers: Clay foam and styrofoam.

For:

Displayed at the “Flame and Symbol” exhibit at FLUX Galleries, Charlotte, NC- 2023

Currently at Activation Studios

*Available upon request

Details

Inspiration

In crafting "That Place in My Dreams," I wanted to emphasize the magic of repurposing.

The enchanted realm within this shadow box unfolds a mesmerizing diorama of a land untouched by humanity where nature itself repurposes every element within.

I crafted a lifelike deer skull using EVA foam and a tree trunk made of recycled styrofoam emerging from a wooden crate to create a 3D scene.

Within this fantastical realm, vibrant pink mushrooms sprout from the skull and small details within the scene, invite the viewers to wonder, "Who could live here?" The illumination of strategic LED lights enhances the magical ambiance, urging the audience to delve into a sense of awe and envision the joy that flourishes in this repurposed haven.