Overview
Solo Solo is an exhibition space awarded to the winner of the prior year’s Annual Texas Juried Exhibition. In 2022, Kaima Marie Akarue’s piece “Should I put my hands in my pocket?”, made of acrylic and crushed glass on canvas won Best In Show or Top Prize. In this exhibition, titled I want to be famous, Akarue skillfully employs nostalgia to construct a thought-provoking narrative on fame. The viewer is challenged to comprehend the complex interplay between sacrifice and desire experienced by the subject. Akarue's art combines elements of childhood memories, personal interests, and iconic figures to seamlessly integrate their individual journeys, ultimately illustrating the artist's own ambivalence towards fame.
Each of Akarue's paintings incorporates texture to craft a fragmented reality, while the meticulous use of glass serves as a barrier, complicating the distinction between perception and reality. Viewers are encouraged to decipher and piece together the underlying message potentially hinting at shattered dreams or fragmented memories.
The power of Akarue's work lies in the evocative imagery, which fosters a dialogue between the medium and the viewer. This interaction invites a deeper exploration of distorted perceptions and their impact on the formation of identity.
Works
Installation Views
