Biography

Ophelia Cornet was born in Belgium to a family of artists and designers. After moving to the United States, she pursued photography and painting at Rutgers University. Ophelia then made her home in New Mexico, where she served as Head Art Instructor of the Albuquerque Museum for 20 years. 

Ophelia now paints full time in her adobe studio, where she combines her lifelong passion for photography and oil painting into a distinctive multi-step technique she calls Fotura. The proprietary technique involves posing and photographing the model, printing, cutting, assembling images and applying layers of plaster, oil paint, and cold wax to realize the vision. Her work is grounded in feminism, spirituality, and surrealism. From legendary art critic Donald Kuspit, “Cornet’s paintings are aesthetic masterpieces as well as tours de force of feminist art.”                               

Artist Statement

In this world governed by patriarchy, women feel a profound sense of alienation. My work is a visual manifesto of a reimagined world. Perhaps it is an alternate reality or a planet far away. Hopefully, it is the shape our own society will take in response to the aggressive, accelerated path we are currently on. In any case, the setting of my paintings is a place that embodies the feminine. 

I portray bold protagonists empowered in and by the fullness of their femininity—flourishing, introspective, resilient and nurturing. In The Alchemists, we are reminded of our innate ability to create, whether it is life, community, or social movements. In Align, women in formation are positioned to protect and show strength. Dissident Daughters speaks to the care we take to ensure the wellbeing of our offspring. Mirror Aquatic is introspective, restoring a sense of self. Finally, Seeding Compassion portrays a woman taking up space in the composition, knowing her worth, and seeding hope. 

Each piece is an intimate reimagining of possibilities. The images act as a balm for our current sense of alienation and a window into a future where women can feel a sense of safety, representation, and belonging. 

“Self-Actualizing Women: Ophelia Cornet’s Feminist Symbolism”

Essay by Donald Kuspit

Shows and Acquisitions                               

Lapis Room, Old Town Albuquerque

Albuquerque Museum Collection 

City of Albuquerque Art Collection 

Albuquerque Museum Art’s Thrive exhibit 

Susan Eddings Perez Gallery, Canyon Rd. Santa Fe

MoMo Gallery Taos

MoMo Gallery Santa Fe

Mano de Oro, Orellana, Spain  

ABQ BioPark (permanent large installation) 

516 Arts, Albuquerque

Bernalillo County Building  

Mariposa Gallery, Nob Hill, Albuquerque 

Act 1, Taos