Mark Zimmerman 

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Mark is a multidisciplinary artist and musician from Phoenixville, PA. A fixture in the local music scene for over 30 years, he is also known for his emotionally raw paintings, often using handmade and extinct pigments. Mark's work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, as well as regional publications.

Heresy of the Open Heart

Heresy of the Open Heart confronts the emotional suppression imposed on boys growing up in a culture that equated vulnerability with weakness. The gaping wound over my chest symbolizes the slurs I endured for daring to feel deeply-weaponized language meant to shame sensitivity. My pursed lips reflect years of holding back emotion, trained to stay silent to avoid ridicule. This painting reclaims that hurt, exposing the wound and refusing to hide it any longer.

Acrylic on Canvas

I Almost ___ ___ today but didn't want to ____ __

This began as an abstract expression on a morning when I stood on the edge-overwhelmed, unraveling, and unsure if I would make it through the day. The original layer of the painting held every emotion I couldn't speak aloud. The following day, I covered it in white, a gesture that mirrors the way I've often tried to mask my pain, smoothing over the messiness to appear "okay" to others. What lies beneath remains part of the work-buried, but present.

Acrylic on Canvas