The Artistic Evolution of Marina Burnel
Marina Burnel is a French self-taught photographer and mixed media artist whose creative journey began through the intimate lens of motherhood. Capturing the fleeting moments of her three children's early years in Ireland, her work first emerged as a deeply personal exploration of memory and connection.
Upon relocating to Jamaica, Marina turned her eye outward, immersing herself in the vibrant rhythms of street life. This marked the beginning of a new chapter.
The Emergence of a Mixed Media Voice
Marina’s time in Jamaica offered her an intimate perspective on everyday life within the iconic Kingston neighbourhood. As her body of work grew, she was invited to exhibit. Faced with the challenge of presenting her images on a large scale without the funds of printing and framing, Marina turned to the very materials that surrounded her subjects: corrugated metal sheets, known as zinc in Jamaica.
Adapting creatively, she constructed a zinc fence within the gallery space, adhering her photographs directly onto its surface. This raw, immersive installation marked the beginning of her signature approach – merging photographic storytelling with the texture and context of urban materials.
Forging a New Medium: From Isolation to Integration
Seeking greater permanence and integration, Marina began transferring her images directly onto the metal sheets, allowing the medium itself to shape the narrative. During the isolation of the pandemic, she expanded her practice further, experimenting with scale, layering, and new materials. It was in this period of reflection and reinvention that her mixed media practice was born.
Marina Burnel: In Her Own Words
Explore the story behind Marina Burnel in her artist statement