THE TAJ MAHAL Collage

Born 1978, Cali, Colombia Raised in Cali and Bogota, Colombia, and Miami, FL. Lives in Miramar, FL Works in Miami, FL MY COLLAGE OBSESSION… BY OLGA LUCIA VARGAS (ONGUIS) One November morning sitting in my living room staring at a travel magazine I was mesmerized by a photograph of a rich sunrise over the ocean. Wanting to be there at that moment I was possessed by the idea of creating a collage using these colors. I grabbed an old shredder and a used canvas and began the journey of what is now my collage obsession and creation of my first collection "Shredded Views" - a compilation of four iconic architectural cityscapes. Each collage I give birth to is a labor of patience and love taking months to realize. I fall in love with each piece as I sculpt its two-dimensional body using nothing but my fingers, paper, a knife blade, and glue over canvas on wood. Imperfections of the jagged paper strip edges become the fingerprints of my work adding perfect character and personality. Look close and you'll find an abstract composition with hidden meaningful messages... Look from afar and you'll find a daring memorable pictograph. As Van Gogh once stated, "I want to touch people with my art, I want them to say 'she feels deeply, she feels tenderly' ... I want to lure people into my work and give them a memorable impressionistic experience. I now continue to work on my next body of collage work which touches on the human spirit and emotion missing impressionist and avant-garde cubism influence.