Deborah Perlman
BIO
South Florida artist Deborah Perlman is a graduate of Boston University (BFA, sculpture) and Cranbrook Academy of Art (MFA, sculpture). After graduate school, Perlman ventured into communications, enriching her creativity through travel and special assignments. Since dedicating herself to art full time, she has been featured in several art publications and her work has appeared in exhibitions nationwide including three solo exhibitions from 2023 – 2024. Perlman’s work is held in private collections, and she is a member of regional and national professional artist organizations.
Perlman finds inspiration from the form, structure and styles of African sculpture; the Constructivism, Geometric Abstraction, and Cubism art movements; the work of Louise Nevelson; the ‘illogical perspective’ of Giorgio de Chirico and M.C. Escher; Joseph Cornell’s shadow boxes; and Frank Stella’s metal reliefs, among many others. Her concerns for the environment, reactions to global conflicts, and personal life experiences contribute to the subject matter she addresses.
STATEMENT
My artwork transforms collage into three-dimensional sculptures, converting flat images into raised architectural forms that add depth, texture and shadows. By cutting, scoring, and folding paper, I create these forms, then combine them with photographs, wood, fabric, metal and other materials. The juxtaposition of these elements -- casting shadows and highlighting contact points – enhances the intention of each piece.
The forms and spaces in my work exist between the real and the imagined. Each piece invites you to travel through doorways, walkways, ramps, and passages, leading you to spaces filled with mystery, questions, and the unknown. Traveling these paths, you may find peace, protection, or gain new insights into your perceptions.
My works are visual metaphors for issues that impact me, from environmental concerns and global conflicts to the quest for inner peace. I immerse myself in this ‘almost-but-not-quite-real’ world and invite you to join me. Walk in and ask yourself: What is it? Where is it? What do I see and feel? And ultimately, do I find myself in it, or not?
Through these questions, I aim to foster deeper connections and understanding, encouraging introspection and the recognition of our shared experiences.
