Stella’s practice, spanning objects, installations, and performances, explores the interplay between function and the empathic body. A recurring element in her work is the presence of implicit action, where the body’s preparation to act becomes central to the experience. 

Observing an object commonly used in daily life can unconsciously prompt the body to ready itself for the associated action, even if that action is never performed. This readiness is sufficient to validate the experience. The potential for action becomes as significant as the action itself.

Everyday objects, designed for human use, carry inherent meanings of function and purpose. Spinedi’s work investigates how these objects both shape and are shaped by the body, mediating between human need and human form. 

Driven by the impulse of a challenge or a game, in her creative process Stella approaches materials through bodily and intuitive engagement, honoring their sensuality and honesty. Coming from a working-class family with a background in carpentry, Spinedi has inherited a deep connection to craftsmanship, constituting a major influence in her practice. This connection has evolved further through her professional experience in metalworking and bronze casting. Both her family history and her immersion in traditionally male-dominated crafts have led the artist to critically confront gender roles, a theme that emerges throughout her work.

Spinedi incorporates physical training as a key component of her artistic practice. Her performances often challenge expectations, particularly by disrupting the sacredness of the performance itself, playing with the audience’s assumptions, blurring the lines between when a performance has truly begun or ended. By doing so, she invites the audience into a space of uncertainty and possibility, allowing the performance to unfold in real-time and creating a dynamic, participatory environment. 

Born in Mendrisio in 1999, Stella lives and works between Bern and Ticino. She graduated from the Hochschule der Künste Bern, earning a Master’s degree in Contemporary Arts Practice in 2023. Her education, deeply rooted in artistic transdisciplinarity, was enriched by external experiences and residencies.