Growth
The creative journey of an artist is often one that sees aspects of their inner selves exposed. That’s certainly true of the process of mixed media artist and sculptor Merissa Hylton, whose striking work was featured in Issue No.6 of ALHAUS magazine, the print edition.
Merissa sets out to explore and dissect aspects of her existence — including her own ancestry, emotions, mental health, self-acceptance, identity and healing. She shares a series of images with ALHAUS magazine on the subject of growth.
“Sometimes when you’re in a dark place, you think you’ve been buried, but actually, you’ve been planted.” As an emerging artist, this quote by Christine Caine resonated with me a few years ago and continues to resonate with me to this very day. I frequently come across stories about new artists becoming overnight successes, but what I’ve realised is that for me, it’s all about being planted for slow, steady growth and having the patience to trust the process.
“Most of the pieces I create are a result of growth — both personally and professionally. They are also an exploration of my responses to my own personal circumstances, as well as many current social and political issues.
“As a multidisciplinary artist, I am able to utilise a variety of different mediums to visualise my thought processes. I have addressed ideas around religion and mental health through photography; gender, disability and inclusivity through sculpture; and personal and cultural identity through painting.
“As I continue to learn and study both modern and classical art processes, I use it to push my own boundaries and challenge the status quo, as well as challenge myself to grow both personally and professionally.”
I Am Here (Stonecast plaster, acrylic paint, gilding wax): Acknowledgement and acceptance of my own physical disability, Amniotic Band Syndrome. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Affirmations (Stonecast plaster, Rose Quartz, Marble, Acrylic): Representation of the processes required to maintain inner peace, whilst living in a world where we are constantly surrounded by negativity. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Alpha (Stonecast plaster, acrylic paint, gold enamel): The beginning of life and absorption of universal existence, a celebration of the Divine Feminine and a rejection of shame. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Omega (Stonecast plaster, acrylic paint, gold enamel): A representation of reflective, light feminine energy. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Be Still & Know (Stonecast plaster, acrylic paint, gilding wax, MDF): Reflects taking time to just be still and listen to your inner self. Based on an affirmation song from my teenage years in church. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
BLM x ASL (Stonecast plaster, acrylic paint, MDF): A political statement translated into American Sign Language, challenging the accessibility of British Sign Language, as well as the traditions of classical European sculpture subjects. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Sankofa (Copper, stainless steel): Based on a West African Adinkra symbol, ‘Sankofa’ means ‘go back and fetch it’. It is a reminder to look to your past and learn from its lessons. Photography by Merissa Hylton.
Trinity (Acrylic paint, canvas): Expresses the joy, strength and serenity of black women and seeks to celebrate these emotions even through rough times.
Self-portrait 1 : The challenge for an artist to capture themself in an image of strength and serenity, after undergoing a very stressful year.
Self-portrait WIP: Progress shot
About Merissa Hylton: Merissa is a London-based multidisciplinary artist, curator, educator and founder of Black British Visual Artists. She works in a variety of different mediums, employing the principle that the spirit, energy and inspiration of the piece dictate the materials used and the processes followed.
To see more of Merissa’s work celebrated on paper, purchase a copy of Issue No.6 of ALHAUS magazine, the print edition.