Michele Ratté’s art evokes a primordial connection to the earth and sea

Artist Michele Ratté has recently relocated to Belfast from Vermont and is being featured as a guest artist at Local Color Gallery. 

Ratté’s work is informed by a lifelong fascination with marine environments, both current and ancient. She uses geological and botanical references, and the direct experience of being and working in seaside locations, including the dunes of Cape Cod and the Chazy Fossil Reef Preserve in Vermont.

Precious metals, mineral pigments, printing, collage, stitching and drawing are all unpredictable elements in her work. Each piece evokes a primordial connection to the earth and sea. A combination of handwork, assemblage and natural objects merge in Ratté’s personal vision of the physical world. Her blending of high karat metals with common materials reflects a strong interest in alchemical and transformative processes.

Ratté’s work has been shown widely in the U.S. and abroad.

The show will be up through February.

Local Color Gallery is at 135 High St., Belfast. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Learn more at localcolorgallerymaine.com.