Debra Pollarini

About

My practice spans painting, analogue photography, and sculpture,  driven by materiality, spirituality, and tenderness. I trust my instincts, allowing spontaneity to guide my creations rather than meticulous planning. This approach keeps me focused on authenticity over mere perfection.

Central themes in my work include primary intimacy, memories, and human connection. I explore the evolving role of the artist and how I interact with these elements. During my travels, I collect diverse materials—natural pigments, organic specimens, and human tools—that are the foundation of my creative process. These objects inspire new works, initiating a dialogue that guides each piece.

“I see my paintings as living bodies”, often working with large fabrics covering my studio floor.  I am mixing pigments, applying tones, and creating symbols and marks that express what words cannot. Saturated colours evoke specific memories and reflections and demand my full bodily engagement in the process.

My process weaves diverse techniques—acrylics, ink, natural pigments, and oxidation—subjecting them to alchemical experiments. I carefully observe their transformations, capturing and preserving unique energy—like a delicate memory frozen in time—and seek to ensnare a particular essence and make the transient tangible.