“Bonfire” and other abstract paintings by artist Amanda Pappalardo (pictured above) are on display in the Kinetic Gallery from Sept. 11 to Sept. 20. Pappalardo creates art that focuses on emotion rather than physical subjects. Artist Pappalardo is also a lawyer and chooses abstract painting as a way to express herself (Madelyn Dewey/arts and entertainment editor).
Artist and lawyer Amanda Pappalardo is showcasing her art collection “Abstract Intimacy” in the Kinetic Gallery until Friday Sept. 20. The gallery’s opening night was Sept. 11 and included a speech by Pappalardo explaining her journey with art and the intimacy of abstraction.
Pappalardo’s artwork is a combination of matte and glossy acrylic paints which provide a lot of visual texture, vibrancy and contrast. Her paintings have a way of grabbing the eye and making people wonder what the story is behind the art or why Pappalardo chose to paint her experiences a certain way.
These paintings are intriguing because none of them contain one specific story or hidden meaning. Pappalardo doesn’t expect observers to become detectives to determine what her work means. They are a projection of her emotions or her subjects’ emotions. Pappalardo’s paintings allow us to take an intimate look into her thoughts.
Pappalardo was well-practiced in photorealism before law school and maintains a lot of respect for photorealists and their process. Now that Pappalardo is a lawyer who constantly deals with regulation and order, abstraction speaks to her.
“It’s all about what feels right,” Pappalardo said. “There are very few rules and guidelines.”
The artist is familiar with the critiques of people who find abstract art to be childish or illegitimate. Instead of listening to these critical voices, Pappalardo chose to listen to the wisdom of one of her professors.
“She said her three-year-old son wouldn’t know when to stop when he picks up a brush,” Pappalardo said. “That is the difference between an artist and any [casual] painter. You can ruin an entire month’s work if you decide to add even just a little more, so I stop when I think it looks right.”
Pappalardo shared that she believes that abstract art is the most intimate art form.
“When you look at abstract art, you are looking at the artist’s hands,” Pappalardo said. “There are no subjects other than the lines and shapes.”
English adolescent education major freshman Sarah Bryk agrees that abstract art is the most impactful art form.
“You can see her thought process,” Bryk said. “Her work is very organic, busy and colorful.”
The artwork that Pappalardo chose to display is extraordinary in every sense of the word. Each painting is completely different from the next and they equally captivate the audience with ferocious intensity. One of Pappalardo’s favorite paintings, “Untitled 5,” certainly pulls people in because the matte background is a shade of electrifying, sunset orange. On the foreground, Pappalardo chose to use red, white and black glossy paint in such a way that you cannot help but be mesmerized by its beauty.
Pappalardo’s art isn’t the only thing that’s unique about the artist. Her lifestyle as a lawyer by day and an artist by night is equally as fascinating. These two careers are usually antithetical of each other, but Pappalardo finds a way to make them work together.
She admitted that in law school she stopped creating art. Pappalardo shared that the period without art was a really bad time for her and caused her to very quickly realize that cutting art out of her life would not benefit her in any way.
“Whatever it is you end up doing in life, you need to keep it up and find a way to create,” Pappalardo said.
Creativity is important as a means of showcasing who we are or who we want to be, regardless of our professions. Pappalardo’s story is a perfect example of how people can live the best of both worlds if they are determined to make it so.