Marzia Ransom’s solo exhibition of In Between, created during the 2022 summer artist residency at The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida, is a work inspired by an altarpiece she saw in Ghent, Belgium.

The altarpiece is a triptych, artwork made up of three pieces or panels.

Ransom said that the art of altarpieces began in 400 to 500 A.D., and she fell in love with the beauty of the creation.

Her triptych, when complete, will be double-sided.

The centerpiece is of Mary, the mother of Jesus, surrounded by seven of the apostles.

Triptychs usually form a narrative, and this one’s message is eternal and large.

“I love creating,” Ransom said. “I don’t work small.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

Marzia Ransom expresses her plans for her work “Mission and Assumption.” The face of Mary is Ransom’s own and one of the disciples’ faces is that of her son’s face. She said it is easier to use herself and her son as models. Photo by Pamela Holt

Ransom said she became interested in Catholicism because of the structure as well as the ritualistic behavior.

“Mary, the mother of Jesus, is an entity in between,” Ransom said. “Her mother Saint Ann conceived Mary immaculately, and then Mary immaculately conceived Jesus, so she is a woman in between.”

She said the story is in the Apocrypha.

“I don’t know what is beyond, but I need to create this type of work,” Ransom said.

The exhibit is on display until Sep. 15 with a Gallery Talk from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

For more information, visit marzia.us or follow her on Instagram @marziaransom.