
About
Alan Patch
My work is an exploration of disrupted communication,
beginning with the experience of my stutter—the frustration, anxiety, and
tension of blocked words. Over time, this focus expanded into a broader
investigation of the body, particularly skin and touch, as alternative forms of
expression.
I work with found and discarded objects—materials shaped by
time, wear, and abandonment. These objects carry physical and emotional
histories, embodying themes of vulnerability, resilience, and transformation.
Their surfaces often mirror the texture of human skin, marked by contact,
memory, and experience.
Touch plays a central role in my practice. It is a nonverbal
language that regulates emotion, builds connection, and communicates care. In
contrast to spoken language, touch offers immediacy and presence—a way of
reaching others that is deeply human and instinctive.
Through these materials, I explore the emotional
weight and healing potential of touch. My work invites viewers to consider how
we experience connection through sensation, and how even discarded, overlooked
objects can speak to our shared need for intimacy, trust, and understanding
beyond words.