Allow us to introduce you to the Next Generation of great artists.
Much like a treasure hunt, the Vacant Museum’s weekly artist spotlight series, the Next Generation, is here to help you discover one hidden gem of the art world a week right here within our virtual gallery. Each gem we find is a fresh, undiscovered emerging artist we believe deserves the spotlight, so show your support for the Next Generation and have a look around.
To become our next hidden gem and share your work along with an artist biography and brief interview, complete our online application below. As always, submission is free.
Tiantian Ma interprets spiritual and metaphysical elements in mysterious paintings which inspire the imagination to dive deeper. The New York-based artist distorts reality and conjures the unknown. Find the spotlight here.
Elaoise Benson – In Plain Sight
Elaoise Benson reflects on memories and personal nostalgia in flowing and active abstract paintings. The London-based painter and performer embraces natural movement in each work and allows viewers to search for connection to their own nostalgic moment within each dynamic scene. Find the spotlight here.
Noelle Barr – Voicing Investigation
New-York-based painter Noelle Barr navigates sociocultural issues related to identity in nostalgic, expressive works. Building narratives based on personal experience, Barr investigates personal identity while coordinating larger looming issues of culture and community. Find the spotlight here.
Moscow, Russia-based artist Alyona Grishko captures intense mysticism in emotional figurative paintings. Grishko’s work contains tension between dark and light elements which places figures and subjects always on the brink of something overwhelmingly powerful . Find the spotlight here.
Fan de Fantástica – Abundant Amalgamations
Fan de Fantástica is a digital filmmaker and collage artist based in Madrid, Spain. The artist mixes and configures complex and plentiful images which engulf viewers and reflect a unique and highly individual point of view. Find the spotlight here.
Kristina Rogers – Mind Mending
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based artist Kristina Rogers explores issues of mental health and identity in organic, abstract, mixed-media work. The artist’s practice embraces the creation of safe and inviting places to process the challenges of mental wellbeing and self-care. Find the spotlight here.
Ekundayo Adeyemo – Dark Origins
Ekundayo Adeyemo conjures mysterious figures from the depths of self-inspection and critical external observation. The Lagos, Nigeria- based painter creates graphic and emblematic worlds filled with original forms and representational creatures. Find the spotlight here.
Tiana Traffas – Motherhood Mythology
Wisconsin-based painter Tiana Traffas mixes motherhood with mythology in work which embraces vulnerability and reimagines representations. Find the spotlight here.
Besma Ftouhi – Bathed in Light
Portugal-based experimental photographer Besma Ftouhi creates visual alchemy with a unique water and ink emulsion photography technique. The result is images soaked in experimentation and bathed in light. Find the spotlight here.
Sandy Wuaye – Magic Moments Unnoticed
Sandy Wuaye is an oil painter based in Kenya. The artist’s observant impressions of unnoticed but meaningful moments throughout everyday life consequently point out the richness in experiences within the African social and natural landscape. Find the spotlight here.
Summer Aldis – Surrounded in Shade
Brisbane, Australia -based artist Summer Aldis carves out serene spaces to contemplate human experiences and relationships. The dedicated graphite realist articulates scenes of comfort and connection. Find the spotlight here.
Keilana Hoffstetter – Cerebral Catharsis
Keilana Hoffstetter explores issues of the psyche and navigates trauma, pain, and internal conflict in figurative surrealist paintings. The Florida-based artist creates narratives rife with ambiguity, expression, and opportunity for investigation. Find the spotlight here.
Ofer Grunwald – Taming Tension and Handling with Care
Ofer Grunwald handles all things with care. The Jerusalem-based cross-disciplinary sculptor expertly navigates tension and contradiction in both material and subject matter. Physical and emotional realms intersect throughout the artist’s work. Find the spotlight here.
Shari Phoenix – Slicing the Gaze
Barbados- based painter and costume maker Shari Phoenix punctuates imagery and representations with exacting and intentional shifts of gazes and perspective. The artist deconstructs ideas of representation throughout multi-layered and unexpected compositions and creations. Find the spotlight here.
Marco Tomassini – Unfiltered and Fearless
Italian spray paint artist Marco Tomassini a.k.a Lons, expresses bold statements and unfettered ideas in energetic graffiti works. The story of two identities and the search for free expression informs the artist’s work. Find the spotlight here.
Alexandra Iosub: Travels Between Realms
Alexandra Iosub is deeply immersed in many artistic worlds. The North Idaho-based artist fuses together ideas, imagery, and inspiration to create a world of entirely its own volition. Find the spotlight here.