Statement
I am fascinated by how we subconsciously see our hands interacting with the world in our peripheral vision. By using hands as stand-ins to depict real people, I can create relatable characters while preserving the anonymity of the people they are based on. In my process I am constantly seeking balance within duality, both formally and thematically. Coming from a mixed-race background, I am inspired to create paintings that blend contrasting visual styles—rendered black-and-white hands set against simplified settings. The narratives of my work explore the interdynamics of multicultural families: how individuals navigate identity, and how families both confront conflict and find celebration in bringing cultures together.
Bio
April Werle (b. 1995, USA) is a narrative painter based in Missoula, Montana, whose work explores mixed-race identity, family, and belonging. Her recent solo exhibitions include Secret Life of a Multicultural Couple, Bell Projects, Denver, CO; Halo-Halo: The Mixed Children, ZACC, Missoula, MT; and Mga Hunghong Sa Diwata (Whispers of Spirits), Holter Museum of Art, Helena, MT. Werle is the recipient of the Emerging Artist Residency at Centrum Foundation (2024). She was honored with the Creative West BIPOC Artist Fund Award (2024), the Montana Arts Council Strategic Investment Grant (2023), and the Montana Arts Council ARPA Grant (2022). Werle’s work has been published in Create! Magazine, New Visionary Magazine, and Mahalaya.
