"There is only one valuable thing in art: the thing you cannot explain", Georges Braque. This belief has resonated with me from the time I was a small child. One of my fondest memories is sitting at the top of the stairs with my dad, looking at his art history books in the library. Many years later in 1986, my junior year at NYU, I had an art history class which was held at the Met, once a week, for the entire semester. It was as if the paintings had come to life. To see and experience firsthand the work I knew so well, from my dad's art books, was a thrill, a sensation, an excitement beyond any words of explanation. To have the opportunity to study the artists and their paintings from the original works; to see their brush strokes, the crackled paint, true color, texture and paint build up - it felt almost surreal.

My father is sculptor Robert Maki, and the entirety of my 41 years has been steeped in the visual arts and creating. My father instilled in me at a very young age that it is not where you live that matters, it is the quality, strength and sincerity of the work you produce that matters. I have been fortunate to grow up in this environment, aware of the dedication, often sacrifice, hard work and perseverance this path requires. This brings me to another aspect of art which cannot be explained: the spark, the drive, the need to produce, to continue on, to always be true to one's self, especially in the face of adversity. To be filled with that "thing" that simply won't allow you to walk away.

My life and work are interrelated on all levels simultaneously; continually evolving. I am in a constant state of discovery, striving for further knowledge, savoring the excitement of exploration and experimentation. The evolution of my work is closely interconnected - visually, conceptually and technically; it has always fed off itself, resulting in an endless source of idea and activity. I learn from my work. I find my natural progression is to go deeper - that is my forward movement: the expanse which lies deeper within. My time is well spent in the studio or with nature, simply being; open to all that is around, allowing energy, idea, questions and solutions to flow. I find it of utmost relevance to stay out of my own way, always trusting that I am exactly where I need to be at any given time, experiencing that which needs to be learned. The ultimate trust: a sustained jump.

My work is not something outside of me that I do. It is what I am, it is what I know, it is my past, present and future at all times. My intent has always been to promote positive energy, action, awareness, compassion and understanding. This is who I am, thus my work is a reflection of this energy and my being. I am driven by fascination of the unknown, unseen. I believe humans are but a mere part of the 'whole' and that we have a responsibility to that 'whole'. I believe in doing all that I can to have a positive effect on the environment and all living creatures. I believe in keeping one's word, and in always taking responsibility for one's actions. To be honest, to be forthright, to live without fear. To be open, present and aware. To not only live in the moment, but fully appreciate the moment.

Statement courtesy of Andrea Maki

Activist

Seattle

New York University, New York, NY, USA (1985-1988) University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA (1984-1985)

daughter of Robert Maki student of Arnold Mesches student of Idelle Weber

A Documentation, Union Settlement, New York, NY, USA (1988)

none