VIRTUAL ART SHOW

FIVE REFLECTIVE ART PIECES

Artist Statement

Fragments of the Infinite

Artist: Whitney Oberg

"Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." – Carl Jung

Reflecting on this insight, I explore the illusions and connections between fate, time, destiny, and the choices we make that shape our paths. Drawing from my personal experiences with mental health and trauma, each piece reflects a search for meaning and connection within the complexities of existence, embracing both the uncertainty and the sense of agency we hold within the unknown.

At its core, this series is a meditation on mindfulness—on being present in the here and now, intertwined with distractions, complexities, and life’s challenges. The reflective materials incorporated in the paintings act as grounding tools, drawing attention to the present moment and inviting a deeper sensory connection to the here and now. I’ve used color to represent the present moment, painted as a multi-colored burst reflecting off of the central gemstones in some of the pieces. The rest of the setting’s materials and forms are left empty, without hues of color, symbolizing the unknown space between my unconscious and conscious mind.

Through this series, I hope to inspire curiosity and introspection, inviting others to embrace both the complexities and possibilities of the present moment through offering a surreal and optimistic perspective on building balance and resilience through reflective practices such as symbolic art-making.

✴︎ The opinions and stories shared are based on personal experiences and perspectives. They may not apply to everyone’s situation and should not be taken as universally applicable or professional advice. They are meant for artistic inspiration and information to describe my experiences. If you’re in crisis or need support, please reach out to a therapist or healthcare provider. (Crisis Hotline: 988 or dial 911 for emergencies). View Disclaimers 

Artwork

A CLOSER LOOK.

Fragments of the Infinite

(2024) Acrylic, reflective material, and gemstones on canvas

8 x 10 in

This piece represents a landscape of life from a complex holistic perspective, reflecting on how my personal experiences and traumas intertwine with the passage of time and the challenges of mindfulness amid complex distractions and sensory overwhelm. The “present moment” is the only part painted in hues of color, reflecting off of the central physical gemstone. The rest of the setting’s materials and forms are left empty symbolizing the unknown space between my unconscious and conscious mind. Symbols of time, love, renewal, resilience, trauma, pain, fate, and destiny are intricately woven together, creating a delicate balance between harmony and chaos—forming Fragments of the Infinite.

Illusions of Fate #1

(2024) Acrylic, reflective material, and gemstones on canvas

8 x 10 in

This piece explores the tension between the feeling of fate and the unpredictability of life. The strings of shimmering pearls suggest a sense of order, as if everything is interconnected and destined. Yet, their subtle complexity hints at something deeper—that fate may be an illusion. Inspired by the idea that the unconscious can shape our reality, this work reflects life’s paths as a delicate interplay of chance, choice, preparation, and the unexpected, marked with reflective gemstones. Together, these elements create illusions of fate within the infinite unknown.

Manifesting Fate

(2024) Acrylic, reflective material, and gemstones on canvas

8 x 10 in

A heart-shaped locket etched with 'Fate' catches the light, drawing attention to the tangled jewelry that represents the tension between fate and choice. In a metaphorical way, this piece explores how surreal experiences, patterns, and uncertainties lead us to seek fate as the answer to life’s infinite questions. I view each layer of painted jewelry and gemstones as symbols of beauty, depth, and life’s complexities.

Intricacies of Destiny

(2024) Acrylic, reflective material, and gemstones on canvas

8 x 10 in

Layered chains, pearls, and gemstones weave together to reflect the intricate web of life’s paths in this painting of jewelry. Through its design, the piece symbolizes the freedom of choice I had in shaping the jewelry as I envisioned, mirroring how we navigate our own destinies. It explores the delicate balance between control and inevitability, offering a meditation on how we shape—and are shaped by—the paths we take.

Inner Journey 

(2024) Acrylic and gemstone on canvas, 8 x 10 in

A painting that captures the allure of new beginnings with a metaphor and symbolism. The pearl symbolizes quiet resilience as it forms and becomes stronger over time, while the seashell offers protective strength, creating a sense of safety within the infinite. The glimmer of colorful light with a physical gemstone on the pearl is a focal point that gives the symbolic and sensory ability to actually feel and interact with the present moment. 


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Contact

Thank you for your interest in my work! I’d love to know your thoughts, interpretations, and perspectives, as I love to learn and deepen my understanding of life through my creative process. Please reach out via email to connect! :)

Email: whitney.renee.oberg@gmail.com

More About Me.


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Exhibitions

APRIL 2023 ✴︎ Virtual Exhibition

Create! Magazine

Artwork featured in Create! Magazine. “In this exhibition, the concept of alchemy is explored not just through the creation process, but also through the lens of experimentation, change in nature, the journey to self-healing and growth, otherworldly abstraction, the resilient and transformative power of radical joy, and of course, through looking at the concept of magic itself, wandering down eerie paths of surreal imagery.”

MARCH 2023 ✴︎ Chicago, IL

Blnk Haus Women’s Art Show 

Artwork featured in the 5th Annual Women’s Art Show in Bucktown. 20 local artists featured in this springtime exhibition.

MARCH 2021 ✴︎ Chicago, IL

Unscarred Art Show 

Artwork featured in the Unscarred Art Show, supporting “the feature-length documentary that tells the transformative stories of physically scarred survivors who find healing and reclamation through the art of tattoos.”

SUMMER 2020 ✴︎ Published in MN

Rag Mag Revival Magazine

Artwork featured in Rag Mag Revival, a project under the Black Hat Press in Minnesota, is a literary magazine that publishes poetry, short stories, and other creative works.

OCTOBER 2020 ✴︎ Print & Virtual

FWWR

Artwork featured in For Women Who Roar Magazine. This print issue explores themes of embodiment and the stories we hold within ourselves.

NOVEMBER 2016 ✴︎ Florence, Italy

FSFA Fall Exhibition

Artwork featured in Florence School of Fine Arts’ Fall Exhibition. Exhibition and reception held at Casa del Vasari in the heart of Florence, Italy.