My art work is a multilayered and complex artistic reality where art serves as bridge between the individual and society. The artistic creation is not serving a mere aesthetical function, but is carrying a web of meanings and allusions, and of metaphors and symbols. These meanings and references, even if sprouting from my personal view-point, are not self-based. I try to observe the world around me and the social and political dilemmas taking place. In this way, I try to create conceptual analysis of society and the existing constraints in order to deconstruct it. By confronting the audience with its discomfort, or resistance regarding these constraints, I aim to instill a deeper reflection in the audience. In this process, and given that the art works are imbued with the intention of being acting agents in a dialogue between myself as artist and the audience, the public is thought of as an actual part of the work and its reflection as essential to the global concept of my art works. Additionally, my work exists in constant interaction with art history and other artistic genres, e.g. literature or music. This web of references and allusions is intended to be an instigator of conceptual density, as well as, an actual part of the desired reflection. In this way, the art work’s dialogue with the public takes place not only in a social-historical but also an artistic and aesthetic landscape.
Ana Rita Canhão