ARTIST STATEMENT
As a mixed media artist, my work explores the intricate interplay between value, destruction, and creation. In recent years, I have embraced an unconventional medium: shredded currency. By repurposing decommissioned money, I aim to ignite conversations about the values we assign to objects—both intrinsic and extrinsic—especially in the realms of art and economics.
Shredded money, once a symbol of power, stability, and status, becomes a fragmented echo of its former authority. I transform these remnants into intricate visual compositions, reassembling them in painstaking layers that challenge viewers to rethink their notions of worth, permanence, and beauty. The act of deconstructing currency is not only material but philosophical—a rebellion against the traditional role of money and the systems that define success.
Each piece is a meditation on cycles: of value, of transformation, of renewal. The journey from whole to broken and back into a cohesive artwork mirrors both the volatility of financial systems and the rhythms of personal reinvention. By embedding these currency fragments into my surfaces, I seek to immortalize fleeting notions of wealth and invite reflection on what truly holds meaning.
In a world where art is so often commodified, my work questions what we truly value. The contrast between shredded money and the tactile surfaces I create urges viewers to look beyond price tags and uncover deeper emotional, intellectual, and spiritual connections.
Ultimately, I hope to inspire a more thoughtful perspective—one that honors creativity, resilience, and the evolving definition of worth in our lives.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in Romania in May 1971, Doina-Mihaela is a self-taught artist with a lifelong passion for painting and drawing. During her early years in Romania, she worked in the cartoon industry, where she developed her artistic skills and creative vision. This period was followed by her mastery of the Galle technique, a highly intricate method of painting on glass, as a painter and decorator. This experience instilled in Doina meticulous attention to detail and a deep appreciation for complex artistic processes.
In 2004, Doina-Mihaela emigrated to the United States with her close family, bringing her rich cultural heritage and artistic expertise to a new environment. Settling in Illinois, Doina has participated in numerous group exhibits across the state.
© Doina Iacob