Tender Points. Nervous Pathways.
Patricia Kalidonis, MFA 2023, Painting
Tender Points. Nervous Pathways. is a heartfelt investigation into the lineage of disability. Through the integration of textured materials such as cotton fabric, velvet, lace, encaustic, and waxed thread, these sculptural wall-forms emblemize intricate bodies - human bodies, celestial bodies, and collective social bodies.
Brightly-colored kaleidoscopic patterns highlight the complex love of living within a bodymind that our society devalues. Inspired by my own visual experiences living with migraine aura and sensory-processing disorders, the mandala-esque patterns demand a slow, careful viewing of people who have historically been invisible, “enfreaked,” and disenfranchised.
Tender Points. Nervous Pathways. was created using an access-centered approach to artmaking and exhibition design. The series includes creative “accessibility features” such as artwork descriptions, audio recordings and textured artworks, along with both an in-person and digital exhibition. I consider all these iterations as individual works that comprise a multimodal series.
Hinging Embrace (detail) Canvas, Velvet, Lace, Wood, Lucite, Acrylic Gel Medium. 48 by 72 by 1.5 inches Image credit: Neighboring States
Assemblage (detail) Canvas, Velvet, Lace, Wood, Acrylic Gel Medium, Lucite Pins, Acrylic Paint. 46 by 40 by 1.5 inches Image credit: Neighboring States
ILateral Fold (detail) Canvas, Velvet, Lace, Wood, Acrylic Gel Medium, Lucite Pins, Acrylic Paint 46 by 40 by 1.5 inches Image credit: Neighboring States
Radical Holding (detail) Encaustic wax, wood, cotton fabric, waxed thread, velvet. 62 by 60 by 4 inches Image credit: Neighboring States
Swivel Joint (detail) Canvas, Velvet, Lace, Wood, Lucite, Acrylic Gel Medium. 22 by 16 by 1.5 inches Image credit: Neighboring States
Image credit: Neighboring States
Image credit: Neighboring States
Image credit: Neighboring States
Patricia Kalidonis
Website: PatriciaKalidonis.com
Patricia Kalidonis (b. 1986) is an artist currently based in Philadelphia (Lenapehoking.) Her artwork examines subjects such as social connectedness, family bonds, isolation, and solitude through the lenses of autism, chronic pain, and disability culture. As her art practice develops, she is also integrating the use of Universal Design Principles and Disability Justice frameworks and to develop creatively-considered accessible presentations of her work. Patricia earned her MFA from Tyler School of Art and Architecture and Temple University in 2023, and her BFA from Portland State University in 2019. In addition to being an artist, Patricia has worked as an arts leader for a variety of organizations, including serving as Gallery Director of Littman + White Galleries at Portland State University from 2017 to 2019. She is the founder and co-leader of Socially Distant Art, a digitally-engaged artist residency program exploring creative approaches to access-centered art.