ChertLüdde

Zora Mann

25 Apr - 06 Jun 2015

© Zora Mann
Who Are The Dolphins?, 2015
Acrylic colours on wall, plaster. Site-specific installation
circa: 320 x 550 cm
ZORA MANN
Coagula
25 April - 6 June 2015

Chert gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Zora Mann ‘Coagula’, opening reception on Saturday the 25th of April, 2015.

Zora Star Cahusac Mann was born in Amersham UK in 1979, from African parents (her mother from Uganda and father from Kenya). She grew up travelling, between Europe, Africa and America, where her family moved during her infancy following a hippie movement.

After relocating in Germany, at age 13, she started a modelling career which continued successfully for many years, when she decided to quit with the fashion business and study art.

References of her past life experiences emerge in her work: tribal art, African decorations, intuitive patterns, subconscious and dreamy-like images, colourful motives, ornamentals models, all of her works carry references to her personal journey through many different places and cultures.

All the pieces presented in the exhibition show different aspects of her cultural heritage. From the shields that are decorated with abstract patterns, the curtain which substitute one private door of the gallery, is made out of recycled flip-flops that are found littered on beaches and in waterways of Kenya. Flip-flops are a major marine pollutant on the Indian Ocean beaches and nowadays there are several artisans in Kenya working on a recycling project of these materials. These projects started in late nineties initiated by a marine conservationist called Julie Church.

The varieties of flip-flops are collected, cleaned and cut into small rounded pieces, which the artist then strung together to form a mosaic-like painting.

The space downstairs is mostly occupied by a wall painting that continues to reflect her ornate decorative art. The scenario includes abstracts patterns together with more recognisable figures, like leaves, eyes, hands...

The title of the piece ‘Who Are The Dolphins?’ refers to a shamanic movements linked to the website ‘treeofthegoldenlight’, who believes that the Dolphins are Aliens and that they will save the world.
 

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