Marissa Mandulak

Take a step into my world and view it from my perspective. My childhood was unconventional: I spent most of it hospitalized, going through many tests and medications, and figuring out my medical diagnosis. These experiences still impact me today, which is reflected in the work I create. Using primarily new media and a variety of other mediums, sometimes combined, I reflect on these experiences and how they shaped me. While these experiences sound less than happy and rosy, my work is the opposite at first glance. The use of gestures and vivid color allows me to express the darker emotions of my childhood in an illustrative way. It allows me an outlet for catharsis and an opportunity to connect and share my experiences visually. While my work reflects myself, I hope you can find some empathy or support if you have been in a similar situation. Not only that, I invite you to experience the work in your own way, to form your perspective. My goal is to reflect and express my feelings to allow others to develop their thoughts and feelings about these experiences that are so familiar to me yet unfamiliar to most.