ELISE WAGNER

Elise Wagner was born in Jersey City, NJ and is an artist based in Portland, Oregon. Elise is a 2015-16 recipient of The Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant. For several years, the main focus of her work has explored her fascination with contemporary scientific discovery, specifically that in physics and astronomy. Living in the Pacific Northwest has had a profound impact on her work which is made evident by the many references to topographic, geologic and cartographic surfaces. Through her use of the ancient medium of encaustic, Elise employs a certain alchemy with her materials; continually interpreting the contradictions between the chaos and unpredictability of nature and science’s heroic efforts to understand our universe through the wonders of its exploration.