Under Construction Conceptual Painter Theresa Giammatei Explores the Quirkiness of Life Through Her Artwork.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: THERESA GIAMMATEI WRITTEN BY: CRISTINA DEPTULA
T he wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers in Theresa Giammatei’s paintings almost leapt off the canvas at me. I was intrigued by how her art focused on building, construction, and repair, rather than presenting perfectly polished sensuous human forms, mythic creatures, or soaring natural scenes. These unusual subjects drew me in and inspired me to contact her for this TrooRa Magazine’s women’s issue. As I looked further into her portfolio, I saw that several of her artistic collections depicted tools, whether for the laboratory or the kitchen, home, or garden. She explains that some of these pieces reflect how following scientific research and cooking for her loved ones helped her stay sane during the pandemic. MENTAL HEALTH AND NEURODIVERSITY Giammatei also incorporates images of tools and building equipment into paintings of DNA and brain matter in her mental health collection, conveying that each of us, and our mental health, are “under construction.” Mental health and the brain are particular interests of Giammatei, as she crafts neurons and synapses as well as molecules such as caffeine that act on our brains. She has also proudly taken part in exhibitions that advocate neurodiversity, the acceptance of diverse brain types, and ways of thinking. Giammatei says we are all “born with differences, superpowers, ailments, and genetic issues. [We should] use whatever tools we need to adjust ourselves to whatever spectrums we are on.”
Theresa Giammatei
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