Federica Tentor

Artist Statement

My work explores the body as a place where life leaves its marks. I treat the canvas like a physical body—a surface that records movement, memory, and the pressures of the world around us.
I am interested in how external systems, whether they are cultural traditions or social expectations, try to control and shape us. My practice investigates these themes through a female lens, looking at how women’s bodies are often "stitched" into roles and rules they didn't choose. I use materials like rope, burlap, and thread to show this tension. To me, a stitch is both a way of holding something together and a sign of a past wound.
My process is very physical. I don’t just paint; I puncture, tear, and sew into the canvas. This way of working is deeply connected to my own experiences with bodily pain and endurance. Instead of hiding these vulnerabilities, I use them as a guide. The "scars" and fragments in my art aren't mistakes; they are evidence of survival.