A Night at A2Z’s Inertia Art Show
Words: Faith Thurnwald
Photography: Taila Campbell
The first sip of an Aperol Sprits on a sunny Saturday afternoon: nothing quite like it. Add to this drinking off a hangover and a sprinkle of rejection from the night before, and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous recipe for disaster. And so it’s the start to an ideal Saturday; I’m dressed in lace, makeup: full faced, drinking at no slow pace. We bask in winter sunlight as the afternoon slips away, my roast is finally ready and – like yours truly – cooked to perfection.
I hassle everyone to get going, dishes are dumped in the sink, drinks are downed, ciggies are stubbed. We rush out the house, never forgetting to pack a bag of booze. Arriving at A2Z’s art show, is a welcomed ritual or perhaps, rather an inevitable inertia. It’s been three years since their first show, and like the first this one takes place once again at their home. Aleja explains to me this is her favorite way to exhibit her work; in the very place it comes to fruition. Walking around A2Z’s home gallery feels intimate; it’s an insight into not only their finished products, but also their process. Aleja’s collection is bursting with colour, where she combines classical and contemporary themes in still life pieces. A kitkat sits beside a Romanesque busts, both awash in a sea of colour. Fantastic.
Zaide displays a range of work: from abstract, to his signature portraits. We see a few pieces from his last show, and of course new works within the inertia theme. His still life pieces catch my eye, particularly a vase of flowers – it’s a timeless subject for a reason, and his take feels modern and refreshing. A checkered blue and white vase with golden flowers falling out: delicious.
Aleja and Zaide of A2Z have both had solo shows since their last collective exhibit, each have shown their ability to be absolutely prolific in what they do, and hone their own individual style. Inertia feels like a coming together, a reunion of sorts
I reunite myself with the bottle of booze we bought, a few times over. Then I get into deep chats with my housemate, and ignore anyone actually worth talking to. The man, the myth, the mistake: my housemate, buys one of Zaide’s pieces. He’s peaking and promises Zaide, that when he buys the piece – as an artist himself – he’ll actually finish it. I’m reminded why we don’t get out much (Unfortunately, that’s a lie).
Zaide and Aleja give their mandatory speech. Aleja talks about her work and the two series on exhibition tonight; the still lifes and travel depictions, describing her work, as just like herself: ‘moody but still very bright’.
Zaide says his works about finding ‘Pockets of stillness, within the vortex of life’. He then moves onto thanking everyone for coming and describes putting exhibitions on as spooky. I find the lack of champagne also quite spooky, and it’s time to meander on down to the local watering hole. And water we do, until about 2, spending money I hardly have on drinks I don’t need. The usual.
0 comments