Stratum Collaboration — Kate Huser Santucci

Stratum is an artistic collaboration with artist Amy Kollar Anderson. The experimental paintings were originally displayed at the Dayton Visual Arts Center February 22 - March 24, 2018. The works were shown again August 3 - September 26, 2018 at Indiana University East.

Stratum Artists’ Statement
Stratum is a project about collaboration and communication. The circular shape of the panels references the cyclical connections between the micro and the macro while leaving the imagery open to the process, but inspired by nature. What emerges is a mini universe of images that convey our connections to the world around us.

We each began with 20 birch wood panels that we traded back and forth, layering materials and documenting as we progressed. Swap dates were randomly scheduled and panels would be worked until they felt resolved. Part of this process involved letting go of ego, and becoming comfortable with altering, covering, or sometimes even removing the others’ work. It built deep connections between us as artists. As the artworks evolved and moved towards completion, we became more comfortable with the process, allowing ourselves to become immersed in the visual dialogue that was taking place.

Santucci works with oil-based mediums, focusing on encaustic, pigment and bone to create lush, natural toned imagery. Anderson uses acrylic-based materials such as pouring medium, mica and glitter resulting in slick and other-worldly surfaces. Understanding the traditional limitations to these combinations, we were enthralled by this challenge and hope that it will inspire other artists to explore limitations and look outside their comfort zones for creation.