Ophelia Cornet ALIGN
Albuquerque artist, Ophelia Cornet’s newest body of feminist work to soothe and inspire, ALIGN which explores the artist's lifelong passion for photography and oil painting by creating a distinctive style that pairs the two mediums. These surreal works fête female protagonists in snapshots of an intimate otherworldliness.
Artist Statement
“My work is Feminist, spiritual, and surreal. I create in response to a world that is excessively masculine, accelerated, and materialistic. This body of work offers a window into an alternate world. I seek to remind viewers of a feminine alignment.
Women are inherently creators of life, care, community, and social movements. I portray my protagonists empowered in and by the fullness of their femininity—flourishing, resilient, and nurturing. I celebrate these qualities as vital for not only women, but all people, within the chaotic times we are living in.
The mode of art-making allows the subconscious to flow into surreal compositions. In moving from real, photographed images to surreal paintings, this work suggests our innate ability for transformation. Now, more than ever, re-imagining is our power.”
Ophelia Cornet was born in Belgium to a family of artists and designers. Her childhood was unusual as her life in the Belgian countryside was juxtaposed with visits to bustling NYC to visit her fashion designer mother. Family friend’s painter Susan Rothenberg and photographer Naomi Savage invited her into their world of play and creativity, which made a lasting impression.
Cornet moved to New Mexico, drawn by the dry climate, after a life-threatening car accident. She raised three girls in an old adobe house close to the Rio Grande while working as Head Art Teacher at The Albuquerque Museum. In the last 4 years, Cornet has become a full-time painter and practices a slower mode of living.
