Working in various materials, Elisa D’Arrigo creates largely abstract images that often make reference to nature, the body, and personal memory. D’Arrigo’s interest in memories comes from her personal interest and struggle with figuring out ways to represent how a memory changes over time in the mind of the viewer. A memory is not simply a visual image but rather a combination of our five senses. D’Arrigo strives to synthesize the experience of these sensations over time into a single image. Using repetition, she communicates an organic process of unfolding both on a micro and macro level. Her works appear to be expanding and continuing on into the spaces in which they inhabit. D’Arrigo’s paper sculptures look toward nature forms in the sea, seaweed, shells and barnacles.
Elisa D’Arrigo constructed armatures from shaped canvas and acrylic medium, onto which she cast paper. Cotton pulp was then sheet formed, and D’Arrigo teared pieces of the wet sheets and laminate, casting them onto the armatures to create undulating surfaces. She used colored pulps to wash the surface and bring out the relief of the pieces.
Born in Bronx, NY, Elisa received a BFA from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Elisa lives and works in New York City.
Workspace Program artist-in-residence 1993
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