The Outlet

Heydi Ortiz Padilla

The Outlet is a group of hand sculptures I created; they embody the ability to express oneself in an embodied way. Inspired by the way hands can be used to convey emotion, the work seeks to become a platform to help viewers define how they feel, without having to speak about it.

Through the use of “sign language,” the audience is invited to create sentences expressing how they feel, and document/process these emotions in the journal that is part of the installation – providing another space to anonymously vent.

Through this series of hand sculptures – made of clay to resemble skin, with aluminum forming the bones/base of the sculpture – the project hopes to allow audience to be able to express themselves, understand that they are not alone, and feel a sense of connection with others.

About the Artist

Art is a way to put a physical form to emotions, a way that you can explore these emotions and nourish them. This is the overall theme of the artworks I create: they are all a voice that embodies the struggles I face.

I express myself through art. It gives me the sense of security in discussing how I feel. As someone who hasn’t always had a voice, art gives me that privilege. I have worked with different medias such as printmaking, sculpting and drawing. Regardless of the media, they all have the same theme of expressing myself and allowing me to use my voice.

Currently, I have been exploring struggles with mental health through pieces that can help people understand that they are heard and that they can share their struggles. In these works, like in all my practice, emotions are what makes all my works flourish and become what they are: meaningful.