Makenzie Lander is a multifaceted artist whose work explores the fleeting moments within human connection. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and raised in Dallas, Texas, she now cultivates her artistic voice in Savannah, Georgia, within the vibrant creative community of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Growing up surrounded by sisters—including an identical twin—Makenzie developed a profound sensitivity to the nuances of relationships and perception. This deep-rooted empathy fuels her artistic practice, where she navigates the evolving questions of human intimacy, individuality, and shared experience.

“In my work, I explore how memory, emotion, and experience shape our perception of connection—both physical and emotional. Guided by my identity and relationships, I revisit the moments and encounters that stain my memory, using figurative form as an anchor for storytelling. I combine materials like fabric, denim, bleach, acrylic paint, and raw canvas, manipulating these elements through cutting, sewing, and pinning to create layered compositions that reflect the emotional residues of human experiences.

Through techniques like wet-on-wet painting, I replicate the stains left by our interactions, while abstraction allows me to navigate the tension between control and the uncontrollable. At the heart of my practice is driven by empathy and a desire to foster understanding, inviting viewers to embrace the fluid, impermanent nature of identity and connection.”