Adrian Arleo, 2024 Radius exhibition, "Interiora"

Adrian Arleo Artist Statement for Radius Exhibition; Interiora
July 26th- Sept. 7th, 2024


Why is it that certain themes seem to embed themselves in us over the course of decades, or even longer? One concept that continues to be compelling for me is making visible an interior experience, or self, that is usually unseen or imperceptible. Over the years, I’ve played with different ways of carving the surface of sculptures to make areas “transparent”. In earlier pieces, the open lattice suggested twigs or wood. In recent years, the carving has become more stylized. In this body of work, the open areas were initially inspired by, then riffed on, the Mogul architectural details and screens in the Alhambra and the Alcazar Palace, both of which I had the good fortune to visit in Spain last year.

I’m curious about how an exterior “facade” can imply one type of being, while the internal one, when glimpsed in the see-through areas, can reveal something entirely other, or unexpected. So often, assumptions are made based on what is in plain view, while there’s a failure to have a kind of sensitivity astute enough to perceive the internal experience of another. This takes time, curiosity, and empathy. “Heart’s Desire”, for example, depicts a small dog with a rather pensive stance. On the inside, an embracing couple reclines in the cave of the belly. What is true for both, inside and out, is the essential innate desire for love, affection and acceptance.

Every piece has a story. And one of the things that continues to hold my interest is that the narrative is not fixed but in flux, shifting depending on who is viewing it and when. In general terms, I’m looking to create a kind of emotional and poetic power. Often there's a suggestion of a vital interconnection between the human and non-human realms; the imagery arises from associations, concerns and obsessions that are at once intimate and universal. The work frequently references mythology and archetypes in addressing our vulnerability amid changing personal, environmental and political realities.