Monica Bergquist

I always saw myself as an artist, but perfectionism and practicality held me back. Life taught me to experiment and play.

Currently 4th

in their Group
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You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

Voting for the Top 20 ends Thursday the 14th of May at 7PM PDT

What is The People's Artist?

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What is your favorite type of art to create?

I create paintings that explore the tension between chaos and control, inspired by natural systems and fluid dynamics. Through the processes of pouring paint, carving, and layering interventions, I mimic processes like erosion and disruption, balancing organic movement with structured grids. My work reflects dualities like order and disorder, growth and damage, while embracing unpredictability. Painting becomes a space where intuition and material become, capturing transformation and evolution.

Where do you find inspiration?

If asked where I find inspiration, I would say Montana and the seasons in the natural world. Its rivers, big skies, shifting weather, and layered geology and mountains reveal constant movement, change, and transformation. These forces shape my process, guiding how I build, disrupt, and respond to materials. The landscape’s scale and unpredictability influence my work, allowing me to reflect cycles of growth, erosion, and balance while capturing the energy and rhythm of nature.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would invest money in growing my art career by securing a well-ventilated studio where I can work large. I’d also travel to learn from other artists, expand my perspective, and collect art from my favorite living artists. Ultimately, I dream of developing an artist residency program for artists and families in Montana, offering a creative space where all ages can experience the landscape, light, and inspiration unique to this magical space. And with any leftover...art supplies!!!

The Art of Elysium

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