Alania Mariano

Alania Mariano

Medium: Photography & Film

Artist Statement:
As a multimedia artist I use photography and film to create work building upon my life-long interest and relationship with the psychology of fashion. As a woman in my twenties, I use my art to find meaning in the objects most people overlook. I have regularly incorporated fashion into my work for the past ten years, along with uncomfortable topics, such as political references, that resonate with my core values. My work is composed of dreamy visuals and soft, muted earth tone colors that achieve harmony and emotional resonance. Music enhances the feelings I want to convey as well, whether it is the music I listen to while I create or the audio I include in my pieces. I often collaborate with others, allowing me to achieve my largest goals because community is integral to my process. This process begins with the initial ideas that spark my creativity all the way to the moment I hit export. The connections I share with those around me serve as a powerful source of inspiration, motivating me to create pieces not only for myself but also for others. This collaborative approach often leads to my most successful work.

My background in photography has brought me where I am today. From taking photos of family members to completing fashion photoshoots with friends, I have always found a reason to have my camera in my hand to tell a story. While my art has changed over the years, I continue to capture fashion and portrait photography and believe the symbolism of a garment, whether it is color, texture, or prints, tells a story about the individual wearing it. Many of my pieces highlight the negative effects of fast fashion from my own generation z perspective and how we can make a change in the harmful industrial cycle.

My most recent work includes building my own portrait photography and videography business, Alma Collective LLC, and learning how to incorporate my fine art background with modern day portrait photography. I continue to explore different avenues of photography, such as Super 8 film, cyanotype printing, and darkroom processing.

I create content that encourages the viewer to question their own views. The thrill of being able to work hands-on with modern day digital technology has inspired me to visualize ideas in my head and accomplish them in front of me. Eager to share my visions with the world, I aspire to create artwork that allows my audience to walk away with something. This can be the enjoyment of the artistic aesthetic itself, the reflection of my style and passion for art, or facing the impactful message that motivates the art piece.