ARTIST STATEMENT

My work challenges the nostalgic view of mid-century America by examining how pop culture and mass media helped construct and sell a carefully curated version of the American Dream.

Through objects from the era, such as televisions, radios, comic books, and historical journalism, I explore how these forms of media promoted an idealized version of American life while often ignoring or downplaying realities like racial injustice, gender inequality, and violence.

ARTIST BIO

Julie Lipa, a self-taught artist from Detroit, channels her fascination with discarded objects into her art, a passion ignited by garbage picking with her parents. Her creative path was further shaped by an influential electro-kinetic teacher at Macomb County Community College, who taught her to see the world differently.

Early on, Lipa repurposed 1950s portable TVs into functional art. But, ultimately, she needed to make the rent, so she stopped making art and founded an entertainment marketing agency.

Two decades later, she retired and returned to her art. Her work can be found at the Smithsonian Affiliate The Atomic Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada and in private collections.