Ogonnaya's Artist Statement

Collage is everywhere. Ogonnaya Dotson Newman enjoys deeply engaging her maximalist sensibilities in all forms of artistic and creative expression. Through a variety of mediums, Ogonnaya brings images, color, texture, and imagination together in her deeply intuitive practice of collage to all aspects of her life. She sees adornment as a way of fulfilling engaging with the dance of creativity and as a expression of joy in a gloomy dim world. She uses old magazines, flyers, and all forms of leftover paper to piece together whimsical, present, and sometimes historical art pieces that critique the world around her. Many of her collages on paper reflect themes of love, sex, current events, and even her deep devotion to the pacific ocean. This practice often creeps into her hobbies that include interior decorating, cooking, and exploring the vast universe through her love of travel. Collage is a salad. Collage is a dynamic gathering that layers sound, smell, and taste. Collage is a beautiful room filled with plants, art, rugs, beautiful divine smells, and perfectly balanced light. Collage is a carefully nurtured group of friends moving to the sounds of drum, bass and wind instruments after a long night of fantastical libations and unbridled joy. A practice of weaving together all that makes life worth living.

Beau (B. Ash) was born and raised in the “golden corner” of South Carolina, where they embraced a familial legacy of wilderness and country living. This along with a life of queer and trans experience has served as a foundation for their art, writing, and storytelling. They often ask themselves: What happens when we let the ordinary inspire us, and revel in the legacy of the natural world?

studiobocollective@proton.me