BIO

McKenzie Fitzhenry (b. 1992), is a studio artist from Houston, Texas. She has a BFA in Studio Art: Drawing and Painting with a minor in Art History from the University of North Texas.

Although paint is most often the medium of choice, Fitzhenry enjoys exploring multiple approaches in her practice. Through her highly figurative work, she seeks a deeper understanding of the human experience, exploring themes pertaining to trauma and its effects on the mind, body, identity, memory and perception.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Themes often explored in my work include trauma, the duality of experiences, and the impact of such on the physical self as well as one’s identity, psyche, and perceptions. Assessing these experiences and emotions and constructing the intangible feelings into something tactile in my work allows me to reassess these traumas. The beauty within struggles are revealed in this investigation - a journey to understand trauma and the self. Experimentation is common in my practice, however I tend to work primarily with drawing and painting, conveying inner turmoil alongside its underlying beauty through the contrast between chaos and serenity. A navigation of the inner terrain, my work draws inspiration from personal experience with trauma, mental health, and the human body. Through expressionistic mark making and emotionally-infused posing of the human figure, I evoke the turbulence and inherent beauty within. These themes of loss and growth, struggle and resilience, portray the duality that fascinates me and imbues my work.