Karina Knutzen Artist Statement

Our world is rich with both unique and random patterns, especially when examined closely. My artistic endeavors are significantly influenced by the desert landscape in which I live. I draw inspiration from the linear formations found in the ribs of the Saguaro cactus, as well as various desert plants, and the erratic lines, colors, and elements that emerge during the monsoon season after the rain runoƯs in a wash. My ongoing series, "Mirror, Mirror", captures many of the patterns I observe in a desert wash after a rainstorm or southwestern images and illustrates how mirrored images are not truly identical. After obtaining my BFA in studio art in 2011, I began exploring the Nerikomi technique, which involves constructing images and patterns using colored clay. My clay pieces are produced by rolling slabs and draping them over diƯerent forms. The diverse colors and patterns are inspired by the desert environment that surrounds me: the magnificent Saguaro cactus, the monsoon storms, and the washes that form following rainfall.