The focus of my work often involves manipulation of everyday, realistic landscapes and their transformation into parallel environments. Where atmospheric spaces and the arrangement of organic structures, heightened colours and artificial skies have melded together rejuvenating nature in the formation of a new existence. Once transformed, these pieces become timeless monuments, losing any historical reference they might have had previously. The softness and subtleties of colours in contrast to the harshness of dark lines of various thicknesses are techniques inspired from my drawing practice.

My work involved not only the study of materials; but also the study of alternative legends and mythologies such as the lost city of Atlantis and the destruction of the planet Tiamat. The study of this subject matter and the experience in working with these materials has naturally evolved into the series of paintings that are presented before you today.

These works are non-linear snapshots of reality, only concerned with the moment at hand. It is through this imagery that my objective is to further consider the interconnections between nature and the built environments - nature as something that is forged by our living planet, and the built environments as manufactured by humans and technology.

-Michelle Montague