Aleksandra Kalisz

Act of Pattern is a series of paintings exploring the intersection of cultural traditions through the visual language of ornament and the representation of the female body. The works show women wrapped in richly patterned fabrics, set against vibrant, layered backgrounds. The soft, delicate forms of the models interact with shifting light and shadow, creating compositions that verge on abstraction, inviting the viewer to explore a dense visual field of lines, hues, and forms.

The project engages with ornamental motifs predominantly derived from Near Eastern art and design. By contrasting these with the European tradition of the female nude, Act of Pattern seeks to create a dialogue between two distinct yet complementary systems of representation: one rooted in corporeality, the other in geometric and decorative abstraction. Both traditions share a deep historical connection, yet each developed under different aesthetic and cultural circumstances. The paintings propose a space where these modes of visual expression coexist, blending sensibilities to uncover new opportunities for harmony and synthesis.

The concept for the Act of Pattern originated from my travels in southern Spain- a region historically shaped by the coexistence of Catholic, Islamic, and Jewish cultures. This meeting of traditions gave rise to the Mudéjar style, a hybrid architectural and artistic form that demonstrates cultural interdependence and exchange. Encountering these spaces, where multiple histories intersect, inspired me to translate that dialogue into painting.

With this project, I invite the viewer to engage with unfamiliar cultural expressions and to foster connection and openness through art.