ARTIST STATEMENT                                                                                                                                                                              IRENE P.

I am an artist who is constantly evolving.  My work is influenced by architecture, nature and fire.  I like to look at things from both a macroscopic and microscopic perspective, which yields confusion as well as inspiration.

In battling with pain on a day to day basis due to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) (Joint-Hyper mobility) not only do I put creativity into my work but also have had to find creative ways to do the work.

The motto for EDS is “Think Zebras, not Horses!” Meaning that a diagnosis such as EDS is actually rare and often misdiagnosed. So I decided to use the black and white theme of a zebra for my artwork.

I was born and raised in a German household, going to the American schools.  Everyone joins the military to go overseas, I joined overseas to come to the U.S.

Most of my work usually has some aspect of circles or triangles in it, whether it is in the form of stones, metal, pattern or inlay.  These are two shapes that have personal meaning and symbolism.

My work can be practical, serious, bold, outspoken, emotional and at times playful and whimsical, just like me.