Erica Felicella: From Endurance Performance to Heart Failure and Reinvention
In a personal essay for Glasstire's 25th anniversary series, artist Erica Felicella recounts her shift from physically demanding endurance performances to a new phase of her practice after being diagnosed with heart failure. On June 28, 2025, she performed 'The Attempt' at Keijsers Koning Gallery, swinging concrete blocks to protest the erasure of queer history. Shortly after, she learned her health was failing, having already endured a brain disorder, sepsis, and an autoimmune disease. Despite receiving the Moss/Chumley Award in 2025 and being profiled by KERA, Felicella faced a decline that forced her to become her own researcher and advocate. She now develops conceptual works that do not require her physical presence, exploring new forms of art-making. Her essay reflects on the intersection of crisis, creativity, and the body, drawing parallels to vaudeville and Picasso's 'Guernica'.
Key facts
- Erica Felicella performed 'The Attempt' at Keijsers Koning Gallery on June 28, 2025.
- The performance involved swinging concrete blocks to protest the erasure of queer history.
- Felicella has faced multiple health crises: brain disorder, sepsis, autoimmune disease, and heart failure.
- She received the Moss/Chumley Award in 2025.
- KERA released a documentary profile about her work.
- Her practice has shifted from physical endurance to conceptual works that do not require her presence.
- She cites Picasso's 'Guernica' as a favorite work.
- The essay is part of Glasstire's 25th anniversary series.
Entities
Artists
- Erica Felicella
- Pablo Picasso
Institutions
- Keijsers Koning Gallery
- Glasstire
- KERA
- Meadows Museum Dallas
Locations
- North Texas
- Dallas
- Texas
- United States