CLAIRE NAKAZAWA
This painter might connect with her heritage by singing Japanese folk songs in gibberish, but her artworks are far from nonsensical. In In the Middle of the River (the ideogram translation of her last name) the Blue Mountains-born Claire Nakazawa communicates her love for the medium in vibrant swathes of acrylic and ink.
“I enjoy the wet texture and rich colours of paint, and being able to direct to do whatever you want,” says the sometime singer for local hip hop collectives Hermitude and Sketch the Rhyme.
This solo exhibition will be accompanied by a installation on the walls of the newly-minted gallery space 107 Projects in Redfern.
“I hope to give the viewer the experience of walking into a different and unique world of imagery and colour and hope they feel something.”
It’s a sensation – and a skill – the artist feels is a little under-appreciated.
“In Sydney and Australia artists aren’t valued as highly as in other parts of the world, and this is a challenge because we have to work harder to gain recognition.
However, for me, at the moment, it feels like an open field for Sydney artists to play in. Sydney’s stimulating and the fast pace can encourage you to be really productive. There also aren’t ‘heaps’ of artists so I think there’s an opportunity to stand out.”
Nov 8-25, 107 Projects, 107 Redfern St, Redfern, 107projects.org
