Spring 2023 Featured Artists
David Pierson
“His work encourages us to look beyond the surface level and see the world in a new light. This theme is consistent throughout his portfolio, and his art and writing often challenge us to question our assumptions, values, and ideas.”
Sitting down to write this season’s first feature post, I feel excited and grateful. I am honored to announce that the first artist in this season's lineup is someone special to me- my partner, David Pierson. David is a gifted artist and writer whose words and ideas have always inspired me to see the world in new ways.
David's featured piece in our collection explores the themes of seeing the unseen and being open to new perspectives. Aligning with the Spring Collection's themes of fresh beginnings and new ideas, his work encourages us to look beyond the surface level and see the world in a new light. This theme is consistent throughout his portfolio, and his art and writing often challenge us to question our assumptions, values, and ideas. David's creative pieces remind us that being receptive to new perspectives is essential to our growth and understanding.
This resonates with me deeply as David has always encouraged me to be more open, understanding, and patient in my life and work. David and I have been creating and collaborating together for years, and I have watched him grow as an artist and writer. His work is always thoughtful, evocative, and deeply personal, and I am honored to share it with you. He inspires me to be a better creative, and I feel incredibly lucky to have him as a partner in both life and art.
As we launch our 2023 Spring Collection, I invite you to explore David's piece and the work of all our talented artists. I believe their perspectives will challenge and inspire you, just as David has challenged and inspired me.
Thank you all for supporting the vision and growth of Collective Stardust. We are grateful to share these creatives with the world and showcase the power of art, writing, and creativity to inspire authenticity, open-mindedness, connection, and compassion.
Christopher Rodieck
“No matter where you are in the world, families and friends come together to laugh, debate, eat, and bond over meals. Chris's work reminds us that through food, community, and connection, we are able to recognize that we are all one, walking each other home.”
Collective Stardust's Featured Artist Campaign 2023 Spring Collection continues to showcase talented artists who use their craft to capture authentic human connections. In this second feature, we highlight Christopher Rodieck, a traveling photographer, teacher, and student.
Chris has lived and traveled throughout Asia and Europe for the past six years as a student and teacher. His experience living in these vastly different cultures has given him a unique perspective on what it means to find community in unexpected places. His featured photos for this collection capture the essence of community spirit through the vibrant and bustling scenes of an Asian market.
Through his lens, Chris captures the vibrant colors and textures of the market and the people who come together to buy and sell goods. From elderly Korean grandmothers selling marinated crabs in a parking garage in Seoul, to young Vietnamese women selling rose apples on the streets of Hanoi, the market is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.
Chris understands that food is the universal equalizer. It transcends language and acts as a pure expression of community.
No matter where you are in the world, families and friends come together to laugh, debate, eat, and bond over meals.
Chris's work reminds us that through food, community, and connection, we are able to recognize that we are all one, walking each other home. In a world that can often feel divided, it is the simple act of sharing a meal that can bring us together and remind us of our shared humanity.
Collective Stardust is proud to feature Christopher Rodieck's work in our 2023 Spring Collection, and we encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the beautiful and authentic connections found in local markets around the world.
Brittany Malott
“Through the act of embracing our shadows, Malott reminds us that true self-acceptance and wholeness can be achieved. By courageously confronting our deepest fears, insecurities, and hidden emotions, we embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery.”
In this life, the universe has a way of aligning us with remarkable individuals, often in the most unexpected of times and through the most unforeseen circumstances. B. Malott, the featured artist for Collective Stardust's Spring 2023 campaign, serves as a wonderful reminder of these cosmic connections and how they can profoundly impact our personal journeys and creative growth.
I’ve learned that teachers and community and connections often come to us when we’re ready, and there’s nothing like finding people who see you and accept you fully. The people who you feel safe enough around to show up exactly as you are. The people who embrace the messy. The process. The difficult. The unusual. The people who just understand— intuitively.
Drawing inspiration from the tale of Persephone, Malott skillfully delves into intricacies of the human experience. With profound introspection, she discusses the shadow self that resides hidden within each of us, often buried away in avoidance. We sculpt masks to wear, polished and flawless, sometimes even mistaking them for our true selves. However, beneath these masks, our shadows patiently await our acknowledgment.
Through the act of embracing our shadows, Malott reminds us that true self-acceptance and wholeness can be achieved. By courageously confronting our deepest fears, insecurities, and hidden emotions, we embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. As we integrate these neglected aspects into our sense of self, we gain a profound understanding of our own complexities, ultimately fostering a greater sense of authenticity and inner peace.
Through her feature, B. Malott invites us to embark on our own journey of self-discovery and creative expression, reminding us to embrace or shadows, believe in our own artistic magic and to live our lives authentically.
Truly, the view from the summit is nothing short of breathtaking.
