My name is Lili DeAngelis-Smith, and I am interested in exploring the nature of identity. Through my work, I investigate the layers of selfhood and the connections that we as humans share with one another and our surroundings. By combining observation and reflection, I create symbolic spaces that explore the interplay between personal and external influences. My practice is deeply rooted in experimentation and the processes within. I incorporate materials such as fabric, staples, stitching, scrapped canvas, as well as acrylic and oil paint. These mediums leave it up to me to endlessly experiment as well as build my compositions layer after layer. Through the texture and depth created from my materiality choice, I am able to further find and show the marks that we leave on one another’s identities, and how such marks can be carried and manipulated.
Identity, to me, is both personal and philosophical– it is shaped by lived experiences while constantly being questioned by existential things such as purpose, meaning, and the self. I enjoy working within this tension by using elements like color theory, layered compositions, and the interplay of structure and release. By sewing, layering, and repurposing fabric and canvas, I am reflecting on how we construct, conceal, and reveal ourselves overtime. Through a balance of abstraction and figuration, I aim to challenge conventional ideas of representation, further inviting viewers into a contemplative space where personal narratives can unfold.
As I approach the completion of my BFA in May of this year (2025), I am determined and plan to continue my academic journey at the MFA level. I am working day in and day out to refine my portfolio, hone techniques, and seek out opportunities that will allow me to further push my education and artistic practice. I am excited for the next phase of my life whether that takes me to becoming a full-time practicing artist or a full-time professor after graduating my MFA. (Hopefully it will be both!). My overall goal as an artist is to ultimately build a lifelong career in the arts — one that not only pushes the boundaries of my own creative exploration but also one that contributes to my artistic community. Art is my greatest passion, and I am eager to deepen my practice and transform it as a means of communication that transcends language to be able to share with the world.
