Artist Statement
Printmaking has instructed me on how much of life is process based, and that the process of making can often serve as the ultimate goal.
In my art, I attempt to capture fleeting moments of life. I draw a contrast between the paradox of humanity’s temporal aspect to the idea that there is more to life than just our physicality. Comparatively, a human lifespan is short on earth. When we see parts of the natural world that will far outlast us, we often have a sense of insignificance. For instance, looking into the night sky can be overwhelming in this way. I try and tackle this in my art by focusing on things that will outlast our short lives. This can be anything from a small impression we make on another person or the lasting changes we can make on history, our culture, or our physical world. Humans are a powerful force on our environment, and can often do more harm than good. Art becomes a way for me to confront these difficult subjects and process the loss of people I’ve been close to.
While my work is often narrative based and rooted in my experience of the world, I don’t think of myself as an illustrator because my images are not necessarily intended to tell one specific story. Rather, they are intended to evoke thoughts or emotions within the viewer that allow them to interpret the story, as it would best apply to them. My hope is to inspire the imagination of the viewer and allow them to dialogue with parts of themselves that they might otherwise overlook.
In my art, I attempt to capture fleeting moments of life. I draw a contrast between the paradox of humanity’s temporal aspect to the idea that there is more to life than just our physicality. Comparatively, a human lifespan is short on earth. When we see parts of the natural world that will far outlast us, we often have a sense of insignificance. For instance, looking into the night sky can be overwhelming in this way. I try and tackle this in my art by focusing on things that will outlast our short lives. This can be anything from a small impression we make on another person or the lasting changes we can make on history, our culture, or our physical world. Humans are a powerful force on our environment, and can often do more harm than good. Art becomes a way for me to confront these difficult subjects and process the loss of people I’ve been close to.
While my work is often narrative based and rooted in my experience of the world, I don’t think of myself as an illustrator because my images are not necessarily intended to tell one specific story. Rather, they are intended to evoke thoughts or emotions within the viewer that allow them to interpret the story, as it would best apply to them. My hope is to inspire the imagination of the viewer and allow them to dialogue with parts of themselves that they might otherwise overlook.
Biography
Elisheva Cieslewitz was born in Paradise Valley, Montana and then moved with her mother and sisters to California. She grew up in Fresno in California's central valley. Despite being an agricultural city, one of Fresno’s strengths is that it has a community of dedicated artists who are passionate about their work. Having the opportunity to engage with these supportive artists was pivotal for her because it made her realize the importance of seeing, and showing art, but also, more importantly, being part of a community of artists. She was also fortunate enough to be able to spend a good amount of time in the redwoods and at Yosemite National Park. These colossal scenes helped to shape her worldview and the direction her art would take. She is currently residing in Seattle, Washington and draws inspiration from both the vibrancy of the city and the quiet parks and natural places that become sanctuaries away from the noise of city life. She received a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from San Francisco State University in 2015.