ARTIST STATEMENT
By transforming discarded objects into works of art, I aim at alerting the public to the necessity of conserving resources and preserving our natural environment. The subject matter of my work ranges from soul-searching to social and environmental themes. The materials I work with provide an interesting mirror of our time and society.

Growing up in Austria during and after World War II developed the treasure hunter in me. Beautiful and much needed things were waiting to be discovered under the rubble after the Russians invaded the part of Austria where my family lived. Looking back, eating with a silver spoon found in a burned-out farm house seems no coincidence; rather, it foreshadowed today’s delight over many a magical finding among society’s discards and its subsequent transformation into an object of meaning and beauty.

My new series, “Makachinas”, was inspired by Kachina Dolls, but is made out of machine-age metal scraps. In spite of a certain playfulness, some seem to carry a spirit of threat, hostility and coldness; others remind of science fiction characters.

BIO
A native of Austria, traveled worldwide for many years, before she moved to California in 1978. She has been working as a professional artist since 1992 and maintains a studio at the “Loft” in San Pedro, CA. She works primarily in mixed media and collage; as a labyrinth builder/consultant, she has created various permanent labyrinths in private and public places; labyrinth  motives appear frequently in her art work. Rawlinson, an award-winning artist, has shown her work nationally and internationally. She took “Katharsis”, a series of works that reflect her childhood and youth in war-torn Austria, to her native
town of St. Poelten; this body of work was well-suited to teach youth about the futility of war.  In search of fellowship with other assemblage artists, Rawlinson founded the L.A. Assemblage Group in 1994. This multi-ethnic group networks and shows at least once a year together.