​Double Star

Marlana Vassar
Double Star, 2013
Oil, oxidized copper, spray paint, acrylic on wood

“I completed this piece during my residency at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. During that time I attended performances within the Cultural Trust to get inspiration for my work. This artwork focuses on movement and symbolism through materials. I also love Afrofuturism and science, so I tried exploring these themes in Double Star. In astronomy, a double star refers to two stars that appear to be the same distance from the viewer upon observation, and may even look like a single star. But in reality, they can be very distant from each other. Humans are similar, in that we are distinct souls no matter how similar our experiences. The green and copper areas in this painting were completed with real copper paint and oxidized to symbolize transformation and growth, making the materials part of the overall symbolism.” - Marlana Vassar

Marlana Adele Vassar is a Pittsburgh-based artist and a 2006 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Largely self-taught, Vassar seeks to balance style and substance in her artwork. Vassar is known for her lavish figures and her attention to detail in her mixed media creations. Her work has attracted diverse audiences and has earned numerous accolades. Vassar’s work has been featured in national museums, galleries, printed publications and is represented in public collections, including recent acquisitions by the City of Pittsburgh and Penn State University.