Stephanie Patton

Lives and works in Lafayette, LA, USA

Artist statement

As a multi-media artist, I often use humor as a device to bring attention to more critical issues. By creating humorous objects I find that it breaks down barriers and allows for the beginning of an open and genuine dialogue between my art, the audience and myself. Issues that remain constant in my work are an exploration of mental and physical health, themes of healing, comfort and self-preservation. I gravitate towards materials and processes that I feel best address my conceptual concerns. Mattress quilting can suggest ideas related to birth, death, intimacy, relationships, illness and rest. Coupled with words or phrases, which often have multiple meanings such as “feel”, the quilted fabric is meant to bring a humorous yet poignant conceptual message to the viewer. In my text-based work, I am interested in using phrases such as “the one thing you can count on is change” to reflect the incredibly fast, unpredictable and often tumultuous time we are living in today. I also use vinyl in my sculptural relief work for its physical properties as well as for its inherent references to mental and physical health and protection. I construct these pieces with my industrial sewing machine as well as a combination of hand sewing, stuffing and stapling. My work often addresses psychological themes while exploring the relationship between humor and personal therapies.

Artwork