Crystal Marshall is an Afro-Caribbean visual artist currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. The artist makes heartfelt work, often imbued with an intense dark blue palette. Marshall generates an ethnic fusion of surrealism, offering a deep inquiry and examination of the patriarchal system. Born in Long Island, New York, but raised in Kingston, Jamaica until the age of 20, she attended the Edna Manley School of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica. After which she migrated back to the US to attend Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland and received her B.F.A. Her migrations between geographical locations are expressed and further deepened within the expanse of her otherworldly paintings. Her personal experiences inform and inspire her narrative and figurative paintings. She combines seemingly opposing principles like spirituality and science to create captivating fantasy realms. Marshall's culture shock in the U.S. led her to focus on identity, societal ills, and technological advancement, all of which has helped to shape her work.
Crystal Marshall's "Sky Break, Suspended in Fractured Milky Vault '' (2023) is a stunning oil painting, measuring 50 x 29, the work displays her trademark style of depicting a luminous galactical body she references as the ‘Blackbody’. Marshall, a third culture artist, pulls inspiration from her disparate experiences to create fanciful chronicles that defy the laws of physics, societal norms and delve into the depths of the human condition. The work depicts heavenly setting that is shattered and adrift. Wispy, cloudlike patterns in mild blues and grays float on a swirling black backdrop. The middle void resembles a shattered hole in the sky, bordered by jagged white and blue strokes. The title, "Sky Break," emphasizes the idea of a fractured firmament.
Marshall's use of color is both dreamy and disturbing. The heavenly realm is composed of delicate blues and silvery grays, which generate a feeling of wonder and the unknown, yet the harsh darkness elicits anxiety. The fragmented white and blue strokes framing the "break", shatters the scene's peacefulness–a quite unsettling visual aspect of the work. Marshall's art is inspired by Neo-surrealism, a revived movement noted for its investigation of the subconscious and dream state. The fragmented sky and ethereal Blackbody in "Sky Break" create an otherworldly mood that encourages reflection on a deeper level. One possible reading of the image is that it depicts the disintegration of certainties or belief systems. The broken sky may signify a shattered worldview or a lack of faith. The whirling blackness might represent the bewilderment or uncertainty that comes from such a loss.
Marshall's work is a powerful instrument for social critique, fueled by her unique viewpoint as a woman of color navigating a society that often emphasizes having a Eurocentric perspective. She has freely expressed her desire to confront social concerns, but not from the privileged perspective of the majority. Instead, she chooses to highlight the voices of the "marginalized" people who live on the outskirts of a society dominated by an oppressive social structure. One other compelling example of her work is "Blackwaters, Bath in Galactic Milk"(2023) which, features a baptismal, where the figure resides in liquescent rectitude—a place of escapism. The composition is drenched in ethereal luminescent beauty. The galactical whirlwind seems to represent a possible disturbance of the existing order, a fracture in the foundation that indicates the prospect of change.
The dreamy aspect of her works might be read as a desire for a world that is more equitable and fairer. Whether her "Blackbody" theme serves as a wider reflection on societal concerns or a more intimate investigation of Marshall's own experience negotiating her position in the world, the artwork eventually transcends its immediate context. Its appeal stems from its capacity to touch universal themes like resilience, the need for belonging, and the ever-present human desire for a world that welcomes all its inhabitants.
Marshall’s themes and body of work is visually stunning and thought-provoking. Her use of surrealism, allegory and symbolism compels viewers to consider wider issues of reality, identity, and the human spirit. Her images have a long-lasting impact, forcing spectators to question their own ideas and worldviews. Crystal Marshall is a rising figure in the contemporary art scene. This Fall she will conclude her studies, at SCAD University where she will be obtaining her MFA in painting.
This Fall she will be debuting her solo exhibit at the Trois Gallery located in the heart of midtown Atlanta Georgia, on October 17th - October 31st, 2024. The exhibition will feature an array of her paintings, sculptures and textile art. The show will explore all her major themes of identity, spiritual transformation and liberation from dystopian and artificial constructs. The exhibition will seek to question globalization, multiculturalism and cyborg culture–whether we are on a true trajectory of positive evolution or trapped in a cycle of repeating past mistakes. In a time of nihilistic ideals, the exhibition will also propose traditional prospects of hope and transcendence in the midst of this tumultuous yet revolutionary time. The artist will harness her times of isolation, as an immigrant and translate these experiences through varying modes of expression. This exhibition will be curated in collaboration with Brittany Richmond, Assistant curator at the SCAD Museum of art and Nicole Kutz, director of SCAD art sales.
Marshall’s distinct upbringing and creative perspective have produced a profound
collection of work that is both visually appealing and thought-provoking. She demonstrates her skill and capacity to have a huge effect on the art world. Crystal Marshall's work transports viewers to a magical and deep universe as she effectively tells her narrative. She wants to keep establishing herself as an artist, expand her art world network, and spread her message worldwide.
