Paolo Arao

Paolo Arao’s sewn paintings, fabric collage, and textile constructions explore the elastic and open-ended concept of queerness, combining geometric abstraction and bold color with textile media as an alternative to depicting bodies. Made with second hand clothing, commercial fabrics and used canvas drop cloths, the works resemble flags or quilts alluding to people and places as a coded visual language is woven into them.

His solo shows include Jeff Bailey Gallery and Barney Savage Gallery, both in New York City and Franklin Art Works in Minneapolis. Arao has participated in residencies at the Fire Island Artist Residency, The Wassaic Artist Residency, The Millay Colony, Lower East Side Printshop, the Bronx Museum of Arts, and MASS MoCA.

Courtesy of Western Exhibitions