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About
Celeste M. Rodriguez is a Puerto Rican-American artist born and raised in Camden, NJ. Her work ranges from painting, drawing and collage. She uses distorted figures and environments showcasing interpretations of personal identity. She is currently investigating painting and drawing methods, collecting found objects, and destroying materials.
Rodriguez’s work has been shown locally in venues such as Camden Fireworks Art Gallery, Woodmere Art Museum, The Campus Gallery, and the Stedman Gallery at Rutgers University-Camden. She received the Bruce Garrity Junior Painting Award, the Visual, Media, and Performing Arts Service Award, the William M. Hoffman Jr. Award, and the Brian McAndrews Memorial Award. Her art studio is based in the Camden Fireworks Art Gallery in Camden, New Jersey. She acquired a BA in Painting at Rutgers University-Camden.
Artist Statement
I was shamed for not being what others wanted me to be. Pressured into making what they considered the right choice. I relied on them to tell me who I am. It did not take me long to see through their hypocrisies and contradictions, and realize they, too, were shamed and pressured. I put myself in my work literally and figuratively as a gesture of self-preservation, creating a dialogue around my own complexities and relatability. I explore the layers of my identity. I create distorted figures and environments to challenge social norms and expectations. I invite the audience to delve into the depths of their innermost being, contrasting their authentic self-perception with the external gaze around them.
I am interested in challenging the way painters paint. Intertwining painting, drawing, and collaging found/recycled objects allows me to continuously experiment, unbinding from traditional forms of painting. I cut, rip, and deconstruct not only destroy the physical work, but also destroy the meaning it once had. I express myself unapologetically and tap into my innermost thoughts. My unplanned process parallels the personal journey of discovering myself. Through this I hope to uncover new layers and cultivate a deeper sense of self-acceptance and authenticity.