It is the remnants of a rich life that form the foundation of Nicole Brauch’s work.
Brauch is an archaeologist of the highest order, one who combs through their family and personal history to makes sense of the world around them.
Tomorrow We’ll See, 2013. Glass jar, wrapped object, handkerchief, photo, acrylic, letter, encaustic and small key hole. 10 x 10 x 4 inches
Brauch explains her process:
Strange Times, 2013. Encaustic, verathane, ink, letter, chalk pastel, silk cord, key, 30 x 10 x 3.5 inches.My work is derived from personal history – either told or uncovered. I document the memories of people, things and moments that continue to resonate in my life. It is my attempt to integrate and reconcile autobiographical motifs. I gather personal imagery from a rich archive of family photos, letters, books and historical images as well as found objects with meaning. I use such things as glass bottles, silkworm cocoons and keys, bits of string, cloth and eggs. The weight of small things is our lives.
Brauch’s work is currently on view and available at Seattle’s Twilight Gallery and Boutique.
What Follows, 2013. Encaustic, acrylic, book pages, photo, 30 x 10 x 4.5 inches. An Outpost of Progress, 2013. Acrylic, encaustic, glass, paper, plastic wish bones. 10 x 8 x 4.5 inches. Are You Still There?, 2013. Book pages, sand, shells, glass jar, encaustic, acrylic and photo. 12 x 12 x 4 inches Relative Trade, 2013. Encaustic, acrylic, twine, glass jar, cork, baby beads, photo, book page. 8x10x4 inches