I ART MY SCIENCE
Distorted Realities
Type
Acrylic and mixed-media collage
Year
2024 - 2025
Inspiration and composition
Distorted Realities  is an abstract collage combining acrylic paint and newspaper clippings. The fragmented faces in the piece represent the subtle yet pervasive effects of EDCs, which disrupt hormonal systems in ways that are not immediately visible. Drawing inspiration from Picasso’s expressive distortions, Contreras Berecochea used bold primary colours to heighten the emotional impact and symbolism of the faces. The juxtaposition of vibrant distortions with textual elements—articles about environmental contamination—adds depth and invites viewers to engage with the hidden health impacts of these chemicals.
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The piece reflects her scientific research and features real newspaper clippings from Dutch publications about pollution and toxic chemicals. She carefully selected articles and imagery, including visual references to industrial smokestacks and contaminated agricultural products, to underscore the global and pervasive nature of these threats. The artistic process required meticulous effort, from sourcing the materials and translating the clippings to layering textures without compromising the integrity of the canvas.
Connection to 'Mysteries in Science'
The artwork captures the insidious nature of EDCs, illustrating how these invisible chemicals subtly alter human health over time. The distortions in the piece symbolize the changes these chemicals cause, emphasizing the need for public awareness and policy reform.
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Through Distorted Realities, she seeks to engage both the general public and policymakers, using art as a vehicle for impactful communication. Her work highlights the shared goals of art and science: uncovering hidden truths and inspiring action. Contreras Berecochea hopes viewers leave with a sense of urgency and curiosity, compelled to explore the unseen forces shaping their health and the environment.
The Artist
About Fela Paulina Contreras Berecochea
Mexico
Fela Paulina Contreras Berecochea is a medical doctor and a Master’s student in Health and Environment at the Graduate School of Life Sciences, Utrecht University. Her academic focus lies in studying the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on human health and advocating for changes in public health policy. Art has always been a part of Contreras Berecochea’s life as a creative outlet, but Distorted Realities  represents her first effort to combine her artistic talents with her scientific research. She sees art as a powerful medium for raising awareness about complex health issues, making abstract and challenging concepts more tangible and relatable.