Artist Statement

Schinkel Fine Art

At the crossroads of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, we explore how art can uncover hidden potential and interwoven layers of connection. As a mother-and-son artist duo working in a figurative/abstract hybrid style, we create immersive environments using innovative techniques that challenge conventional perspectives and deepen understanding.

Our artistic journey began in 2010, rooted in lifelong engagement with creative communication. Drawing inspiration from color field abstraction blended with figuration, we developed a process we call Metalagram—a method that transforms 2D sculptural work into pieces that appear three-dimensional. This practice embodies a symbiotic relationship between medium and message, echoing Marshall McLuhan’s assertion that “the medium is the message.”

Influenced by the late 19th-century Les Nabis movement—a collective of young Parisian artists who transitioned art from Impressionism toward abstraction, symbolism, and modernism—we embed hidden elements within our work to invite exploration and unlock potential. Like the Nabis, we believe that art is not merely a depiction of nature but a synthesis of metaphors and symbols deeply rooted in the artist’s soul. Our work serves as a treasure map, guiding viewers on a journey that unifies and challenges perspectives.

Our creations begin as digital designs and are then brought to life by hand using both workmen’s and artisan’s tools. Influenced by the Detroit maker mentality and incorporating techniques from automotive, aviation, and woodworking fabrication, we fuse traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to create the “Metallaverse”—a trinity of interconnected works comprising Metalagram, Metalamirror, and Metalamix. Each portmanteau reflects a unique yet overlapping creative process that delivers our message.

Designed to forge connectivity our works invite viewers to look beyond the surface and explore a deeper, more conceptual unity. Metalagram, our first creation, combines “metal” and “hologram” by crafting layered, interactive art on industrial aluminum through a process that includes etching, engraving, grinding, painting, and printing. Building on this, Metalamirror integrates the reflective qualities of handcrafted silver mirrors to interact with its environment, while Metalamix evolves further by merging elements from the previous forms with media such as digital painting, photography, video, animation, and AI as unique renditions of analog and digital expressions.

Our creative lineage is inspired by our familial ancestor, Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781–1841), the renowned Prussian architect and artist. Much like his work, we approach our art with a balanced blend of technical precision and creative insight—a foundation that continuously informs and inspires both our practice and our lives.

In addition to our art, we founded the 501c3 charity “Conceptions Connect” to inspire others to achieve their highest potential. Through our collaborative projects we have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of involving and sharing with others—a synergy that empowers, enlightens, and energizes both creators and audiences alike.