Flux & Form
Flux & Form unites the work of RM Cimini and Linda Celestian, two artists whose practices delve into the fluidity of existence and the transformative forces of nature. Cimini’s meditation-lead approach to painting is guided by the principles of mystery, impermanence, and interconnectedness. Through luminous depictions of water and skies, her work invites viewers into a contemplative space where light becomes a metaphor for life’s transient beauty. Cimini’s art reaches beyond the physical world, offering a space for spiritual reflection and a deeper connection to the shared human experience, fostering a sense of healing through visual transcendence. Celestian’s sculptures and paintings explore the intricate patterns and energies of the natural world, drawing inspiration from processes such as ice formation and organic growth. Her use of innovative materials and experimental techniques blurs the boundaries between art and science, reflecting the seamless connection between humanity and nature. Celestian’s work underscores the parallels between our inner biology and the earth’s ecosystems, creating a visceral experience of life’s interconnected cycles. Together, the works of Cimini and Celestian invite viewers to contemplate the ever-shifting relationship between form and flux, offering a profound exploration of the forces that shape both our inner and outer worlds.
Linda Celestian
She/Her
Artist Bio:
Linda Celestian grew up in upstate New York. She attended Moore College of Art receiving an MFA in Fashion Design and completed a year of post-graduate study in Painting. She works with paint in its fluid form and manipulates it to imitate natural occurrences such as the formation of ice, decay of natural materials, and rushing water. She enjoys exploring natural techniques to sculpt her fiber creations, including nuno felting, shibori dyeing, and rust dyeing. Silk has been her preferred material because of its translucent qualities. Inspired by nature, small sculptures are stitched to linen circles like specimens and can be installed as collections. Elegant wearables harken back to her fashion roots. Her large suspended sculptures command a space while concurrently feeling weightless and free-floating. She has received several grants through the Delaware Division of the Arts and has shown her work extensively in the Wilmington, DE, and Philadelphia, PA areas.
Artist Statement:
As a child nature was my constant companion. My father’s love of boating and living in nature was passed down to me. I am fascinated by the energy, forms, and colors found in nature. Layers of poured paint and various mark-making techniques are used to imitate natural occurrences such as ice formation, decay, and growth.
My sculptures highlight aspects of nature’s beauty that may be overlooked. Small details are pulled from intimate studies of natural formations and specimen collections. Larger components are suspended to create aerial compositions that can command a space while concurrently feeling weightless and free-floating.
Originally a traditional oil painter, I transitioned to acrylics in 2012, seeking greater flexibility. Experimentation with fluid acrylics, airbrush mediums, and inclusions like mica dust and sand led to the development of unique textures. My acrylic paintings on canvas and paper have further evolved to incorporate poured thinned paint, mono printing, scrape painting, and drawing with refillable paint markers. Fabric sculptures are colored with watered-down dye on silk and spray paint on polyester organza. I embrace this spirit of experimentation in my practice, constantly seeking innovative ways to use materials, much like a scientist.
I’m exploring the connection between humanity and the earth. The resemblance between brain capillaries and tree branches is undeniable. similarities are also seen in our circulatory system and rivers. We are in essence nature.
RM Cimini
She/Her
Artist Bio:
RM Cimini, a fine artist living and working in Delaware, taps into the collective consciousness via common experiences. Trained as a formalist, Cimini’s paintings are physical objects whose surfaces allow the viewer to glimpse her working process. Her radiant paintings, informed by daily meditation practice, investigate links between sight and interior vision. Featured in multiple group and solo exhibitions, her work was notably included in an exhibit at Belskie Museum in Closter, NJ and the Monmouth Museum in Lincroft, NJ. While maintaining a studio practice, she also served, from August 2016 until June 2019, as President of Studio Montclair, a non-profit visual arts organization. Cimini facilitates meditation groups and writes about art and spirituality for Huffington Post, Sivana Spirit, and her website, rmcimini.com. Cimini, an inducted member of the National Association of Women Artists holds an MFA in painting and sculpture from Bennington College and her work is held in private collections in the United States and abroad and in the public collections of Atlantic Health Systems, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the MC Hotel.
Artist Statement:
As a painter with a long-standing meditation practice, which has engendered an interest in consciousness and transformation, I derive great pleasure when I observe a person being moved deeply as they stand before one of my paintings.
There are three fundamental truths that inform my work:
1. Mystery: Our life and the world are replete with the unknowable.
2. Impermanence: Everything is always changing.
3. Interconnectedness: Every single thing is always related to every
single other thing.
Trying to paint from the basis of these three truths I aim to create works that connect people to themselves and to each other.To invite viewers into the painting, I work from observation as well as invention. Drawing on the beauty surrounding us in water and celestial skies, I use light as a visual metaphor to depict the fragility of form and our shared transitory state of being. Connecting with viewers through our shared consciousness, the paintings open the door to a spiritual world, offering a sense of transcendence—a glimpse into an existence apart from everyday activities. It is my hope and intention that my paintings will become part of the great web of healing.
