MELISSA McCRACKEN

(American, b. 1990)

Synesthesia is a genetic neurological condition that affects sensory perception in a small percentage of the population. For artist Melissa McCracken, this unusual condition impacts her comprehension of music and color. In her latest body of work, McCracken is exploring new territories within the color and music matrix, paintings that depict celestial landscapes and floral galaxies. ⁠

I believe that we too often view the world through a singular and narrow lens, only allowing our habitual and empirical experiences to inform our perspective. Through my work, I hope to widen that lens, even if it at the smallest degree.
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By incorporating elements of synesthesia, I create a visualization of music. My hope is to transcend traditional interpretations of experience and to reimagine the familiar. Intended to feel elusive, I invite the viewer to envision the potential of each piece in their own regard, thereby making the final product one of collective consciousness.