SPOTLIGHT
Alana Questell
by Leah Sandler
United Fragments
Alana Questell ’ s traditional and digital collages combine found imagery , saturated color palettes , and a healthy dose of absurdity . Fragmented bodies , tropical fl owers , and ambiguously mountainous landscapes are hewn together in Alejandro Jodorowsky-esque compositions , created with a sense of playful randomness and affection for strange juxtapositions . Questell ’ s digital collages frequently include subtle animation , bringing the imaginary and real constantly closer .
Questell began creating collages as a young child , and has been cutting and gluing universes together since then , experimenting further with typography and pastiche . Sometimes , she extends this practice into curation . A good curator is able to weave together multiple points of view to create something cohesive and communicative , and Questell ’ s past Orlando curatorial projects do just that . Questell has had a hand in several of the Orlando underground ’ s most notable events of recent years , including Total Bummer 4Ever in 2013 , the Relief in Abstract show at the Space , as well as many Is It Over Yet ? group shows and zine releases . Questell is the sole curator of SUNDRY , an online platform dedicated to showcasing Central Florida ’ s artistic talent . Additionally , she is the co-manager and art director of the band SALES . All of these productions brought varied , eclectic , and unique perspectives together into something more , a refl ection of the vibrant and diverse artistic communities of Orlando .
Questell said in a recent interview with Mieux Magazine , “ Different people with different narratives creating things and sharing that work with one another is so important . Really amazing conversations and ideas can come from those interactions .”
Questell ’ s approach to unifying diverse elements into beautiful and surreal compositions may be an apt metaphor for a manner of thinking that has potential to act as an antidote to our constantly shrinking , periscope views into the world — collecting thoughts , ideas , and images from everywhere imaginable , and fi ghting the urge to isolate oneself in an echo chamber of similar opinions and experiences . Questell ’ s compositions are playful and frequently humorous , and the artist ’ s ability to unite the disparate into something whole and unique is particularly valuable to our contemporary condition of fragmentation .
You can see more at : AlanaQuestell . com
Don ’ t Let Anybody Steal Your Magic , digital collage
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