I create to turn tension, memory, and ordinary materials into images that feel mysterious, alive, and emotionally true.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite work combines photography, video, and constructed objects. I’m drawn to temporary sculptures made from everyday materials—plastic, paper, light, smoke, or found objects—and then photographing or filming them so they become something stranger and more symbolic. I like when the final image feels suspended between beauty and unease.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in overlooked materials, urban life, memory, family history, and moments of visual tension. I’m interested in the point where something ordinary becomes mysterious: plastic catching light, smoke moving through space, a small object transformed by framing, or a personal memory turning into an image. Much of my work comes from trying to make the invisible feeling behind a moment visible.
What would you do with $25,000?I would use the award to build a stronger body of work through equipment, printing, exhibition preparation, and dedicated studio time. I would produce a focused photography/video series using constructed materials, light, and slow motion, then create archival prints and submit the work to exhibitions, grants, and publications. The funds would help me move from experiments into a serious finished project.
Vote for Duncan Morimoto Brown to become The People's Artist while supporting a great cause! Cast your free daily vote or make an even bigger impact when you vote by donation, supporting The Art of Elysium in their mission to use art as a catalyst to help people triumph over difficult life challenges.
Register now for your opportunity to appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display your artwork at The Art of Elysium's Salon.
Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like The People's Artist, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.
