Immersive Work

In their artistic collaborations, Donna and Mark Isham create not only visually arresting installations but also pieces that provoke reflection on human emotions and societal issues. These installations merge Donna’s visual art with Mark’s sound compositions, offering a unique, immersive experience that challenges perceptions and invites deep engagement.

Donna Isham and Mark aimed to blend the past, present, and future in their collaboration. Donna, with her background in fine art, traditionally used oil and pigment to create vivid canvases. However, as technology evolved, she sought to integrate digital projection and sound while preserving the organic, humanistic qualities of handcrafted works. Similarly, Mark, with his roots in musical history, bridges traditional musicality with analog synthesizers. Their collaboration unites these elements, forging a link to a new and evocative art form.

"We Are All Watching" (2022) was the first captivating art installation by Donna Isham, created with significant input from her husband, Mark Isham. This large-scale piece, measuring 72 inches by 127 inches, utilizes a mix of acrylic, graphite, oil stick, paper, and ink on canvas. It explores contemporary themes of surveillance, privacy, and the voyeuristic tendencies of modern society. The installation incorporates innovative elements such as electronics and video projections, alongside large-scale mixed media paintings. Ambient sounds, including field chatter from global cities like Paris, New York, and Aspen, are integrated with original music composed by Mark Isham. This auditory layer enhances the visual experience, creating a Visual/Sonic atmosphere that envelops the viewer. Additionally, film burns and scratches projected over the paintings introduce a layer of depth, reflecting on the fragility of human life and the increasingly robotic nature of our culture. This piece invites viewers into a thought-provoking exploration of observation and observed realities, merging Donna’s artistic vision with Mark’s musical expertise to challenge and engage audiences.

"Carousel" (2023) is an evocative piece by Donna Isham, crafted in collaboration with her husband, musician Mark Isham. Measuring 61 by 71 1/2 inches, this canvas is an ode to childhood memories of park visits and joyful rides on carousels. The artwork vibrantly encapsulates the carefree, spinning motion of these enchanting machines, reflecting the sheer ecstasy experienced by children. The color scheme of creamy yellow, muted blues, crimson, and pink harkens back to the aesthetic sensibility of the 1960s, and combines acrylic, graphite, oil stick, and ink, to creating a textured and dynamic surface that invites viewers to immerse themselves in the artists' youthful recollections and the universal joy of carousel rides.

"Alchemy" (2023) represents an immersive art installation by Donna Isham in collaboration with her husband, Mark Isham. Spanning 68 inches by 118 inches, the artwork delves into the transformative mystique of alchemy, particularly inspired by the practices of ancient Chinese alchemists. It is crafted using acrylic, ink, graphite, oil, and crayon on canvas. The color palette is rich with cinnabar, golds, mercurial silvers, and deep cosmic blues, evoking a sense of magic and transformation. This piece explores the eternal quest for knowledge and beauty, engaging viewers in a profound sensory experience through its vibrant visuals and thematic depth.