Maria José Benvenuto

'Blue figure', 2021, Abstract colourful works on paper

2021

Entitled 'Il Passato Imano,' translated to 'The Past Remains' in Italian, this artwork on cotton fabric showcases a statue of a man, accompanied by an abstracted shadow. The bust, pa...

Arao’s geometric sewn fabric paintings reference woven textiles and ethnic patterns from the Philippines, reinterpreted in kaleidoscopic fabric compositions. Fabric, a material that seemingly begs for human touch, is something we all have a level of familiarity with. Whether it is clothing worn or removed from the body, commercially bought, hand dyed, or recycled weathered canvas, Arao harnesses the tactility and multiple interpretations of fabric, often alluding to its central relationship to the human body. Precisely sewn together into tapestry-like wall works, Arao’s background in painting is evident in his mastery of color and composition. Paired with his conceptual link to his identity as a gay Filipino-American, Arao’s works simultaneously reach back through history and into the future as powerful symbols of representation and beauty. Gathered from disparate sources, carrying the psychic or physical traces of the hands that manufactured or the bodies that wore the textiles used in his fabric paintings, there is a legacy of nuance woven into the fibers of each work. Written into each color choice, use of various types of fabric, and overall composition, is a steadfast trust in process and faith in intuition. Regarding this body of work, Arao states, “ In my sewn paintings, the stability of geometric forms is disrupted through the use of altered patterns and asymmetry, creating a space that’s dynamic and shifting – much like the concept of queerness itself.” Flexible, open-ended, and bounding with vibrant color, Paolo Arao...

Acrylic paint, embroidery and poly-fil video

Acrylic paint, embroidery and poly-fil on canvas

Artist Motivation: "By Any Means" is bold, gritty, modern, vibrant and compelling! This "Street Style" Abstract Expressionist painting is raw and captivating! "By Any Means" fits ...

Artist Motivation: "Let's Ride" will be the most fun, vibrant, expressive pieces you'll ever own! This piece is ALIVE with color! Rendered in a spirited palette of fuchsia, orang...