Using a variety of mediums—including pencil drawing, acrylic painting, ink, and dry pastel—Pueo captures not only the external features of her subjects but also the deeper questions surrounding femininity, identity, and perception.
Her work is richly layered with diverse influences, ranging from cinematic stills and fashion photography to art history and pop culture. References to iconic artworks—such as Klimt’s The Kiss, Magritte’s The Lovers, or Escher’s paradoxical motifs—often appear in the form of tattoos or T-shirts worn by her subjects, blending the classical with the contemporary.
Central to her work is the theme of the gaze. There is the direct, sometimes defiant gaze of the women she portrays—a reflection of autonomy and inner strength. There is also the societal gaze that surrounds and shapes perceptions of women. Finally, there is our own gaze, as viewers interpreting the signs and symbols subtly embedded in each composition.
Artist: Carole Pueo
