Untamed 08.24

Original Mixed Media Artwork on Archival Paper, 2024

About This Artwork

I created Untamed 08.24 in 2024 as part of my Untamed series, a collection of works built from repurposed materials and intuitive exploration.

Using torn magazine clippings and mixed media, I allowed the composition to develop layer by layer without a predetermined outcome. I am drawn to the idea that discarded fragments can be reassembled into something entirely new. As the piece evolved, the individual elements began to form relationships with one another, creating movement, texture, and unexpected moments of connection.

The work explores transformation, resilience, and renewal. Fragments from different sources come together to create a new visual language, reminding me that meaning is often found not in what remains whole, but in what has been broken apart and reimagined.

Though modest in size, Untamed 08.24 carries a strong visual presence. The layered surface invites viewers to slow down and discover details that emerge over time, revealing new shapes, textures, and associations with each viewing.

Artwork Details

Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: Untamed 08.24
Year: 2024
Series: Untamed
Medium: Mixed Media on Archival Paper
Artwork Size: 8" W × 10" H × 0.5" D
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Mixed Media
Original Artwork: One of a Kind
Frame: 16" W × 20" H × 2" D Included

Collecting Original Artwork

The Untamed series is rooted in the belief that overlooked materials still have stories to tell. Through collage, layering, and abstraction, I transform discarded fragments into new compositions that explore identity, resilience, change, and possibility. Each piece is one of a kind and reflects a moment of discovery within the creative process.