"WHO ARE YOU" Painting

ARTIST STATEMENT In the works of Shilowska Pretto, we are invited to transcend the boundaries of the familiar and enter immersive, otherworldly realms that challenge not only our perception of reality but the very cognitive frameworks that govern our understanding of it. Pretto’s art disrupts deeply ingrained neural "scripts" — the mental maps that, according to neuroscience, form at an early age and shape our behavior, identity, and expectations. While these scripts help us navigate life, they often become rigid, limiting both our sense of self and our ability to perceive the infinite possibilities that exist beyond the known. Pretto’s practice merges the science of the mind with a profound exploration of spirituality and consciousness, inviting viewers to step into an environment where perception itself becomes fluid. Drawing on concepts like the observer effect from quantum physics, where reality is shaped by the act of observation, Pretto challenges the viewer to question their role in shaping what they see. Her art is a reflection of the liminal spaces between worlds — the point where reality and imagination collide, where consciousness actively participates in the formation of existence. Through her use of abstract forms, surreal landscapes, and unexpected color palettes, Shilowska Pretto disrupts the brain’s reliance on mental shortcuts and habitual perceptions. The unfamiliar textures, forms, and dimensions present in her works provoke cognitive dissonance, forcing the viewer to pause and re-examine the patterns that govern their perception of reality. It is within this moment of uncertainty that the viewer can engage in a deeper dialogue with the work, exploring new meanings and connections that transcend the conventional boundaries of cognition. At the heart of Pretto’s vision is the idea of liberation — liberation from the mental prisons that define and confine our experiences of the world. Her surreal, multidimensional landscapes serve as not only aesthetic experiences but as vehicles for personal and collective transformation. By immersing themselves in these alternate realities, viewers become acutely aware of the invisible paradigms that shape their lives, offering them an opportunity to see the world through a new lens — one that is untethered from the mental scripts that limit their potential.