Asha Zero is known for hand painting intricate and densely layered images and surveying the artist’s latest body of work – forget about the goohexx : send in the du_plicann – at 34 Fine Art, there is a distinct shift to more stripped-down portraits and figures.
In previous exhibitions, such as micro cluster picnic (2011) and numberrs (2012), the portraitures used to inhabit and blend with the artist’s virtual landscapes. The effect of the new works however, is that the characters are no longer made to ‘blend into the background’. Trompe l’oeil (fooling the eye) remains evident in the work and, in conjunction with Pareidolia (tricking the brain), works to unify and complete the fragmented characters. In comparison however, the new works show a clearly elevated technical skill and complexity.
“The fragments that comprise an Asha Zero composition – often a collection of disparate body parts – are like the partial images and edited bits and pieces inserted into categories and fields to create an online identity. In many of the more recent paintings, Asha Zero fills the compositions with a multiplicity of images like, eyes, ears and mouths to simultaneously bring into play a suggestion of the network itself.” – numberrs, p.2, Sanford S. Shaman, 2012.
According to Asha Zero the previous paintings can be interpreted to be either portraits or landscapes – although emphasis is placed on blurring this distinction. The extent to which one may distinguish is determined by the tension between the figure and the background.
The works in forget about the goohexx : send in the du_plicann extend the cast from the artist’s exhibition career. These avatars remain open to interpretation, alternating between frames of perception – male and female, mediated and accidental, online and offline – which highlights the interplay and fragmentation both within and between subjects.
WHERE: 34FineArt, Second Floor Hills Building, Buchanan Square, 160 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
HOURS: Tuesday – Friday 10:34-16:34; Saturday 10:34-13:34
INFO: Andries Loots +27 82 354 1500 or visit
