Artist Statement

Photography by Henri Yonet

 
 

Imagination is liberation. Understanding that symbols shape and reinforce our cultural values, my art seeks to “remyth media” and contribute to the creation of our shared visual language. My analog collages are rebellious mashups of the Divine, weaving a deep reverence for feminism, the erotic, and earth-based spirituality. Like nature, which thrives in diversity, my work offers multiple depictions of the sacred, reminding us that there is no single image of power. By dissecting the known, I cut up vintage and contemporary publications to explore alternative ways of being beyond the constraints of our dominant culture. Delving into subconscious realms, I unearth narratives embedded in the evolution of mythology, tapping into both ancient wisdom and future possibilities that honor nature, the body, and the power within. Through my creative practice, I aim to subtly reshape how we view ourselves and the world, reflecting the infinite creative potential that resides within each of us.

  • Enter the realm of Ashley Edes, a visionary amalgamator—a fusion of artist, curator and archivist driven to “re-myth” media—unleashing the creative potential in all of us.

    Edes’ analog collages are rebellious mashups of the Divine, weaving a potent reverence for feminism, the erotic, and earth-based spirituality.

    For Edes, art transcends mere personal expression—it's a tool for collective transformation. Firmly grounded in the belief that symbols hold the keys to defining and perpetuating a culture's value system, she fearlessly delves into the collective unconscious to explore alternative modes of existence. By dissecting the known, she crafts compositions that boldly surpass prevailing narratives, subtly reshaping both our inner landscapes and the fabric of our reality.

    Her lineage, a tapestry of anarchy and publishing, fuels her fire. From her cousin Penelope Rosemont—a steward of the Surrealist movement in America and a pioneering artist-activist-author—to the revolutionary spirit of her ancestor, Benjamin Edes, whose legacy paved the way for female literary voices, Edes carries forth a torch of liberation and empowerment.

    Continuing her heritage of uplifting conscious creators, Edes actively participates in women and gender-expansive exhibitions and projects. Noteworthy among her recent contributions, Edes was featured in Our Mother the Mountain, a 2022 group exhibition at La Mama Galleria alongside luminaries such as Swoon and Betsy Damon. Additionally, she made history by being part of the inaugural NFT Biennial, the Every Woman Biennial 2021: My Love is Your Love.

    In 2020, Edes’ collage 'Oshun' was selected for Judy Chicago’s Solstice: Create Art for Earth virtual exhibit. Demonstrating her fervor for feminist surrealism, Edes co-curated and exhibited in ARS UNA | ART IS ONE in 2019, commemorating the 100th anniversary of surrealism, alongside artists Delphine Diallo and Penny Slinger.

    While rooted in Maine, Edes ventures abroad for weeks at a time, exploring and gathering materials. Currently, she is immersed in the development of an oracle deck featuring her analog collages, spawning from a global counterculture archive.