Artist Statement
My work focuses on a self that emerges through Greek culture, American politics and mundane moments that are layered together for absurdity. I use the body, humor and memory as subjects to shine a light on how social norms, politics and family culture are intertwined. Time becomes nonlinear and multiple moments exist simultaneously. Like static, without coherence, a lullaby/nightmare of familiarity exists. My body is open and excreting, using a childlike humor as a way of coping.
These wood structures, painted with gouache and acrylic, step into the physical space and encourage the viewer to investigate and contort themselves in order to view. The constructed framework takes up more space in our physical world, as it may tuck itself into corners, rests on our ground and curls into itself.
I keep records of life experiences through video, photo, sketches and writing, just as members of my family have through important historical events in Greece. There is comfort and catharsis in these repetitive actions and in knowing I am connected to the past through documentation. The structures themselves act like a biological data bank storing all our lives and experiences in one place; my life may exist on one plane and my family exist on the other. The shadows they make not only mimic and further repetition, they represent past time, where family lineage and stories lie.
The bright color palette juxtaposes the graphic line elements, pushing one to contemplate the nuances present. I attempt to guide the viewer with a variety of patterning and line, interlacing and knotting around the contorted forms. The wood panels themselves further fragment the picture plane, allowing for a more abstract work and to demand the attention of its viewer, bringing the conversation into the personal space of the viewer, beckoning them to walk around and investigate at multiple angles.
My work focuses on a self that emerges through Greek culture, American politics and mundane moments that are layered together for absurdity. I use the body, humor and memory as subjects to shine a light on how social norms, politics and family culture are intertwined. Time becomes nonlinear and multiple moments exist simultaneously. Like static, without coherence, a lullaby/nightmare of familiarity exists. My body is open and excreting, using a childlike humor as a way of coping.
These wood structures, painted with gouache and acrylic, step into the physical space and encourage the viewer to investigate and contort themselves in order to view. The constructed framework takes up more space in our physical world, as it may tuck itself into corners, rests on our ground and curls into itself.
I keep records of life experiences through video, photo, sketches and writing, just as members of my family have through important historical events in Greece. There is comfort and catharsis in these repetitive actions and in knowing I am connected to the past through documentation. The structures themselves act like a biological data bank storing all our lives and experiences in one place; my life may exist on one plane and my family exist on the other. The shadows they make not only mimic and further repetition, they represent past time, where family lineage and stories lie.
The bright color palette juxtaposes the graphic line elements, pushing one to contemplate the nuances present. I attempt to guide the viewer with a variety of patterning and line, interlacing and knotting around the contorted forms. The wood panels themselves further fragment the picture plane, allowing for a more abstract work and to demand the attention of its viewer, bringing the conversation into the personal space of the viewer, beckoning them to walk around and investigate at multiple angles.
| alexia_avdelas_full_cv.pdf |
