Artworks by Marie Antuanelle

My art is a process of sublimation and a tool for advocacy. It was born from the necessity to transform the grit of survival into a voice for change. Growing up in cold climate of Siberia during the collapse of the Soviet Union, and on the shores of the Black Sea away from my family, my early life was defined by loneliness, the harsh realities of Perestroika and poverty. Yet, it was anchored by my father’s love for the earth and his collection of raw crystals. When I lost him, art became my sanctuary—a way to navigate grief and reclaim my strength. I moved to Australia to begin again, trading a corporate career as a National Account Executive at Procter & Gamble for the studio, bringing a perfectionist discipline to my fight for justice. Later, life brought me to the "ground zero" of a traumatic divorce and domestic violence. As a mother forced to rebuild from nothing, I witnessed firsthand the systemic social injustices women face in marriage—where men often continue to build wealth while women are forced to start from zero. My work has evolved into a mission to empower these women and bring global awareness to this disparity. I am applying to Artfinder to connect with a global community that values art with a soul, a mission, and the professional reliability of an artist who understands the gravity of her work and a VOICE and responsibility we bare as artists. What inspires you? I am inspired by the "Human-Free" landscape—the raw, geological power of places where nature remains untouched and unburdened. My work, which I call Sculptural Topographies, translates the vastness of the Australian coast into intimate, tactile experiences. As I travelled all over the world collecting sand from the best beaches and using it in my art. My deep love for the sea has also made me a fierce advocate for Ocean Conservation. I believe the health of our oceans reflects the health of our society; both require protection, respect, and a commitment to restoration. How and why do you create the art that you create? I create to empower and to protect. My technique is a tribute to my father’s crystal collection; I sculpt with quartz sand and sands gathered from across the globe, embedding the physical earth into my mixed medium reliefs. This process is meditative and transformative—turning the "dust" of poverty and injustice into something solid and permanent, building a GROUND foundation for new life. To further this mission, a portion of every sale is donated to Ocean Conservation initiatives, ensuring that my art gives back to the earth that inspired it. How did you choose your medium? My medium was born from a desire for "Texture without the Weight." After years of perfecting a lightweight mixed medium technique, I can now create massive, stone-like statement pieces that are surprisingly easy to install. This ensures that even my largest works can be shipped globally and hung on standard walls, removing the logistical barriers that often come with heavy sculptural art. What formal training/exhibition history do you have? My practice is validated by international success at The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles, Affordable Art Fair Sydney and Carl Gallery in Dubai. I have been a winner of the Pyrmont Art Prize and my work is featured on Channel 9’s The Block Shop, I have been winner of Hunters Hill Art Prize and featured on billboards in Westfields across Australia. These milestones prove that my message of resilience and empowerment resonates within high-end architectural and cultural spaces. Recently I won Art Residency for a year at Space to Create NSW - aquiring a art studio space for my art project. Why Artfinder can trust me with their customers: Because I have survived "starting from zero," I treat every collector with absolute respect and professionalism. My P&G background ensures corporate-level precision, and my time in the Sydney framing industry guarantees museum-grade archival standards. I personally oversee the crating and "white-glove" international shipping, ensuring that the art arrives safely and that the collector’s experience is as flawless as the work itself.