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Artist Bio

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Melanie Carlos is a Visual Artist based in New Jersey, working in oil paintings and multimedia. Carlos’ work examines America's political system using metaphors of the animal kingdom and the interwoven brutality of creatures eating one another to survive. Her work has been exhibited in student-led exhibitions in Montclair, including the Juried Exhibition in Fall 2026. She received an award of recognition for an Outstanding Thesis Project in her Integrative Studio III course. Carlos is completing a BA in Visual Arts, with a minor in psychology and a concentration in education. She is currently developing a website to present and sell her work.

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Artist Statement

 I create oil paintings and mixed media pieces that examine American social constructs and their anti-inclusive policies through a satirical lens, zooming in on issues relating to queer representation, classism, human exceptionalism, and feminism. I use the creatures in the animal kingdom to create visual metaphors and often make quirky human hybrids that resemble the interactions between different social hierarchies and their intersections with one another. I research animals' modern and historical backgrounds, diving into their symbolisms and animals' ritualistic uses in cultures to drive my storytelling narratives and relate their relations to human qualities. I relate the cycle of the animal kingdom to classism and the idea that the brutality of man follows a similar cycle of repetitiveness. I often use vibrant, bold, complementary colors and stylization that align with folklore to invite unsuspecting viewers into my works who would not typically engage with views opposing their own. I also use size and loose canvas to create works that not only take space and draw people into my work, but also may construct forms and helixes that contribute to her narrative of cycles. I use these techniques in order to initially veil viewers from the uncomfortable social topics in my work. My main goal of the use of my techniques is to subdue viewers that are reluctant to engage with social issues and have them face the American social and political issues occurring around them. I iam working on expanding my artistic horizons to create art that viewers can have for themselves and that is accessible to every social class in the United States.

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Melanie Carlos

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