Artist Statement

Patty DeFelice’s art is an exploration of the intersection between the abstract language of surrealism and the ways she can contort the human form. A very important aspect of her work is the negative spaces it creates and bold, contrasting colors. The geometric forms highlighted by her characters are influenced by hieroglyphics. The abstract approach allows her to break free from linear time. It provides a way for her to offer a visual language that invites the viewer into a space where time, memory, and identity are fluid. She utilizes acrylic paint as a medium, which allows her to be precise but intentional with her work. While geometric, her work also has a very graphic element, which is a style that she has always applied to her pieces.

When she first started investigating this style, it was in an attempt to break free from replication. As someone with aphantasia, the challenge of purely representational art, which necessitates constant reference, proved creatively challenging. The pursuit of capturing every minute detail left her feeling trapped in a cycle of imitation. This struggle led to a pivotal shift in her practice. She discovered a freedom in designing figures with distinctly human characteristics, yet positioned in ways that defy natural human anatomy. This exploration opened a new avenue for expression, allowing her to move beyond the limitations of realistic representation. Her focus has now evolved from the meticulous process of replication to a more intuitive and responsive approach. The resulting figures, though rooted in human form, exist in a space that challenges our perceptions and encourages a fresh perspective on the possibilities of representation. Guided by the painting's development, her creative process is now more dynamic and less rigid.