Prisma Estúdio is glad to present HARSH ROADS, a solo exhibition by Yosef Phelan, Irish-Palestinian artist whose practice delves deeply into the complex intersections of identity, heritage, and personal agency. Rooted in a dialogue between abstract and figurative forms, Yosef’s paintings emerge through a meticulous process of layering and refinement that spans weeks, even months, resulting in compositions rich with color and emotional resonance.
In this new series, the artist shifts his focus toward his Palestinian heritage, drawing inspiration from intimate conversations with his father. These dialogues act as a narrative thread throughout the works, weaving personal memory with collective history, and embodying the lived experience of navigating the intricacies of dual identity. Through each canvas, Yosef constructs a vivid, symbolic landscape that reflects not only his own personal journey but also the broader themes of displacement, resilience, and the fraught roads of self-discovery.
HARSH ROADS invites the viewer into a visual exploration of belonging, tracing the contours of cultural inheritance, and the paths forged between past and present, tradition and adaptation. The works speak to the struggles and the beauty inherent in embracing one’s multifaceted identity, while addressing the universal challenges of finding one’s place in the world. – Written by Lia Proti
Yosef Phelan´s exhibition “Harsh Roads” will take place from the 12th September until the 16th September 2024 from 7pm to 11pm at PRISMA! Come join the vernissage on the 12th September from 7pm to 11pm!