2016.19.10 Less Obvious INvasions @LAZY SUSAN GALLERY NYC
Through her art, Odele longs to inspire observers to engage in a deeper analysis of both themselves and the world that surrounds them. She employs her energy and artistic ability with the intent of breaking down cultural barriers and social constructs, by asking the public to examine otherwise common scenarios through different perspectives. Although her art comes to life in a variety of formats, she believes the crucial component must always remain the viewer’s interpretations. As such, this exhibit would not be complete without you, the audience, and your opinions. Her multifaceted projects include 3D sculptures, animals, naked bodies and even Ikea chairs. Her passion for animals prompts her to immortalize them in her art. She observes them both in their natural habitats, and reinvents them invading human spaces.While experiencing a great variety of materials, Odele’s ultimate language still lies in painting itself.
Odele has travelled extensively since childhood. Although she believes her biography should be recounted through means of her art, Odele’s exposure to many different cultures prompted her curiosity about the human condition. In her previous work, she examined the relationships between animals and man-made creations. Aspects of ordinary life such as urban spaces and common objects are juxtaposed with wild beasts and their prowess in her paintings. Page 1 Bison ate the idea Primal beats PRESS RELEASE LAZY SUSAN GALLERY LES NEW YORK In this new stage of artistic development, Odele explores the animalistic behaviors of humans themselves. What do we become when stripped of our carefully constructed social norms and artificial behaviors? How do our primal instincts and sensuality still guide us through life? How do humans and animals both behave in their nakedness? Odele’s new paintings stimulate the audience to come up with their own answers.
The piece “Primal Beats” portrays the beauty of human interactions. Both man and woman engage with each other using their bodies and primal instincts. The couple remains relaxed and respectful as the man serenades his partner with music. The drumbeat represents the primal form of communication between individuals, and much like the paintings themselves, it is the link between what one feels and what one expresses to the outside world. The vivid colors allude to the presence of nature, and its importance to the wild man. The sensuality the work transpires shows both the tranquility and ferocity of humans in their natural state.
Such themes are also present in “Bison ate the Ideas”, in which the beauty of the landscape is connected to the living creatures who inhabit it. Cherry blossoms are often planted by humans and organized in calculated fashion to create a artificial sensation for humans. The bison here represent the “invasion” of wildness in a planned and controlled environment. The bisons eat the flowers planted by men and therefore modify their creation or “ideas”. Thus, it seems no matter how much control humans want to exert over the natural world, their efforts always prove to be in vain.
Odele has travelled extensively since childhood. Although she believes her biography should be recounted through means of her art, Odele’s exposure to many different cultures prompted her curiosity about the human condition. In her previous work, she examined the relationships between animals and man-made creations. Aspects of ordinary life such as urban spaces and common objects are juxtaposed with wild beasts and their prowess in her paintings. Page 1 Bison ate the idea Primal beats PRESS RELEASE LAZY SUSAN GALLERY LES NEW YORK In this new stage of artistic development, Odele explores the animalistic behaviors of humans themselves. What do we become when stripped of our carefully constructed social norms and artificial behaviors? How do our primal instincts and sensuality still guide us through life? How do humans and animals both behave in their nakedness? Odele’s new paintings stimulate the audience to come up with their own answers.
The piece “Primal Beats” portrays the beauty of human interactions. Both man and woman engage with each other using their bodies and primal instincts. The couple remains relaxed and respectful as the man serenades his partner with music. The drumbeat represents the primal form of communication between individuals, and much like the paintings themselves, it is the link between what one feels and what one expresses to the outside world. The vivid colors allude to the presence of nature, and its importance to the wild man. The sensuality the work transpires shows both the tranquility and ferocity of humans in their natural state.
Such themes are also present in “Bison ate the Ideas”, in which the beauty of the landscape is connected to the living creatures who inhabit it. Cherry blossoms are often planted by humans and organized in calculated fashion to create a artificial sensation for humans. The bison here represent the “invasion” of wildness in a planned and controlled environment. The bisons eat the flowers planted by men and therefore modify their creation or “ideas”. Thus, it seems no matter how much control humans want to exert over the natural world, their efforts always prove to be in vain.
2016.2.05-double headed bison and such - a mindful installation @reverse space
Location:
REVERSE space
28 Frost Street
Williamsburg
Brooklyn NY 11211
Opening: February 5th 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
DESCRIPTION Following shanghai's show of animals stepping beyond canvases and encroaching upon real human made objects, Odele now brings to New York another playful installation.Toying with photographs, collages, sculptures, Odele continues to explore variations on one theme. Interactive moments will occur during the 2/5 Friday reception. Audience feedback extremely welcomed.Following shanghai's show of animals stepping beyond canvases and encroaching upon real human made objects, Odele now brings to New York another playful installation.Toying with photographs, collages, sculptures, Odele continues to explore variations on one theme. Interactive moments will occur during the 2/5 Friday reception. Audience feedback extremely welcomed.
REVERSE space
28 Frost Street
Williamsburg
Brooklyn NY 11211
Opening: February 5th 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
DESCRIPTION Following shanghai's show of animals stepping beyond canvases and encroaching upon real human made objects, Odele now brings to New York another playful installation.Toying with photographs, collages, sculptures, Odele continues to explore variations on one theme. Interactive moments will occur during the 2/5 Friday reception. Audience feedback extremely welcomed.Following shanghai's show of animals stepping beyond canvases and encroaching upon real human made objects, Odele now brings to New York another playful installation.Toying with photographs, collages, sculptures, Odele continues to explore variations on one theme. Interactive moments will occur during the 2/5 Friday reception. Audience feedback extremely welcomed.
| reverseodelepr02052016.pdf |
2015.03.12-04.12 - Transcendence @SOHO Fuxing Plaza
To celebrate the vibrant energy of Soho Fuxing Plaza complex, APT Institute is proud to present Transcendence - a group exhibition by APT artists. As the exhibition title suggests, we wish to stimulate, enlighten and elevate those who encounter the exhibition above and beyond their hectic city lives. The artworks are created by international artists who share Shanghai’s cosmopolitan point of view and celebrate its diverse palette. From traditional oil paintings to light installations, we hope to portray different emotions and imaginations evoked by historical and contemporary Shanghai through a carefully selected ensemble from the APT Collection. Viewers are transported to the creative wonderment of the artists’ imagination, and reexamine the essence of modern day Shanghai. Not only aesthetically pleasing, the artworks are very relatable with their narratives about the amazement of city lives and the struggle of modernity. Viewers are granted the chance to reflect, dream and be inspired with the artworks dotting across the complex. Our goal is to provide slices of enjoyment for the people coming through Soho Fuxing Plaza for work and leisure.
Sailing through the wind and waves in the torrent of urbanization and globalization, there are times to march ahead, and times to linger and contemplate our past and future. The exhibition is a story of collision, meditation and integration. Each artist showcases their unique understanding and reflection of the very same era we live in. They try to communicate messages beyond words using unusual methods, and to challenge our ordinary perspectives of the world.
7 Chinese and international artists will show their works at the exhibition: WU DING 吴鼎, MORGAN WONG 黄荣法, XIE CAOMIN 谢曹闽, ELISABETH CONDON 康丽冰, WENG FEN 翁奋, DON PORCELLA, ODELE ZHANG 昱
Sailing through the wind and waves in the torrent of urbanization and globalization, there are times to march ahead, and times to linger and contemplate our past and future. The exhibition is a story of collision, meditation and integration. Each artist showcases their unique understanding and reflection of the very same era we live in. They try to communicate messages beyond words using unusual methods, and to challenge our ordinary perspectives of the world.
7 Chinese and international artists will show their works at the exhibition: WU DING 吴鼎, MORGAN WONG 黄荣法, XIE CAOMIN 谢曹闽, ELISABETH CONDON 康丽冰, WENG FEN 翁奋, DON PORCELLA, ODELE ZHANG 昱
2014-07-31 Wednesday 6-10pm @BERLIN GlogauAIR Gallery
PRESS RELEASE
2014-07-31
BERLIN, Germany -- In the city where almost everyone defines themselves as artists and musicians, both in physical delivery and lifestyle philosophy, Odele E. Zhang debuts in Berlin her “Mysterious Animals coming to Berlin” solo art exhibition.
Even in such a high density artists city, “few artists dare to ask others thoughts about their paintings,” GlogauAir art space director says, “they are often uncomfortable to engage in such confrontational conversations, verbal, or written.” Odele art is certainly not in favor of sitting around and waiting for art critics to have a say. The raw audience’ opinions matter.
At the opening, biblical references, mesopotamia, Roman/Greek stories, and vocabularies such as “society,” “civilization,” are on the tip of the audience’ lips, which is of drastic difference with Asia (remember the Octopus I painting received “it’s a Buddha” comment). For instance, almost everyone commented on the “Rembrandt-ness” of the horse portrait. Snake II directly called for “the fallen world.” Swan I drew Germans’ attention particularly as it is a prolific symbol across the country, especially in schloss (German for palace/castle) areas.
One German audience, however, does comment on Chimpanzee I regarding the China Monkey king. It’s exciting to see more and more of this type of cross-culture references and recall of knowledge/symbols in the various worldly cities Odele has traveled to and will be traveling to.
It was difficult to record everyone’s verbally expressed thoughts because almost all come from different parts of the world, and English is not their primary language. So writing on empty “static” notes was the best option.
Some favorites from the show are Lion I, Snake II, Goat I. Audience reveled in the “melancholiness” of the lion and asked “what is he really thinking about,” and “would love to see more of the chess board.” One viewer stressed, “please make the paintings stay to be water-colors. They wouldn’t be good once turned into large oil ones. Because watercolor allows it to be Dream-like.”
For the first time, Odele, international artist connecting global cultures together through ‘misplacements’ of animals, engaged seriously with watercolor. She specifically calls this show an “ideation party,” as her use of watercolor is for illustrating ideas quickly when traveling. The collaborative artist for this exhibition is her father, Robert Zhang, who focuses on watercolor landscapes.
“You can’t overwork watercolor,” fellow resident artist at GlogauAir commented. The briefness of the painting style and visual effect in its physically connects perfectly well with the theoretical emotional feel of dreaminess and ephemeralness. In fact, a Berliner comments with seriousness regarding Swan I, “Everything is impermanent.”
You are invited to view all paintings from the Berlin show online starting 2014-08-01 at www.odele.co, and of course, leave your very own interpretations and cast your vote on whether you want a certain painting to become a large oil painting in the near future. (The exhibit goes until August 2nd, 2014 at the GlogauAir art space @Glogauerstrasse 16 in Berlin, Germany)
2014-07-31
BERLIN, Germany -- In the city where almost everyone defines themselves as artists and musicians, both in physical delivery and lifestyle philosophy, Odele E. Zhang debuts in Berlin her “Mysterious Animals coming to Berlin” solo art exhibition.
Even in such a high density artists city, “few artists dare to ask others thoughts about their paintings,” GlogauAir art space director says, “they are often uncomfortable to engage in such confrontational conversations, verbal, or written.” Odele art is certainly not in favor of sitting around and waiting for art critics to have a say. The raw audience’ opinions matter.
At the opening, biblical references, mesopotamia, Roman/Greek stories, and vocabularies such as “society,” “civilization,” are on the tip of the audience’ lips, which is of drastic difference with Asia (remember the Octopus I painting received “it’s a Buddha” comment). For instance, almost everyone commented on the “Rembrandt-ness” of the horse portrait. Snake II directly called for “the fallen world.” Swan I drew Germans’ attention particularly as it is a prolific symbol across the country, especially in schloss (German for palace/castle) areas.
One German audience, however, does comment on Chimpanzee I regarding the China Monkey king. It’s exciting to see more and more of this type of cross-culture references and recall of knowledge/symbols in the various worldly cities Odele has traveled to and will be traveling to.
It was difficult to record everyone’s verbally expressed thoughts because almost all come from different parts of the world, and English is not their primary language. So writing on empty “static” notes was the best option.
Some favorites from the show are Lion I, Snake II, Goat I. Audience reveled in the “melancholiness” of the lion and asked “what is he really thinking about,” and “would love to see more of the chess board.” One viewer stressed, “please make the paintings stay to be water-colors. They wouldn’t be good once turned into large oil ones. Because watercolor allows it to be Dream-like.”
For the first time, Odele, international artist connecting global cultures together through ‘misplacements’ of animals, engaged seriously with watercolor. She specifically calls this show an “ideation party,” as her use of watercolor is for illustrating ideas quickly when traveling. The collaborative artist for this exhibition is her father, Robert Zhang, who focuses on watercolor landscapes.
“You can’t overwork watercolor,” fellow resident artist at GlogauAir commented. The briefness of the painting style and visual effect in its physically connects perfectly well with the theoretical emotional feel of dreaminess and ephemeralness. In fact, a Berliner comments with seriousness regarding Swan I, “Everything is impermanent.”
You are invited to view all paintings from the Berlin show online starting 2014-08-01 at www.odele.co, and of course, leave your very own interpretations and cast your vote on whether you want a certain painting to become a large oil painting in the near future. (The exhibit goes until August 2nd, 2014 at the GlogauAir art space @Glogauerstrasse 16 in Berlin, Germany)
LIVE Painting 5.9.2014 @RockBUND Light and Salt
animals & machines - 1.11.2014 RECEPTION - SHANGHAI
menacing BUTT SPACES - 5.11.2013 RECEPTION- NEW YORK
Dec. 1-15.2012 Shanghai @ O. Gallery
ZIYU ZHANG
The Elephant that Stayed in the Room
Saturday, December 01 - Saturday, December 15, 2012
Opening reception for the artist: Thursday, December 6th, from 6:30 to 9 pm
“If the image can’t tell the story, and it needs further explanation, then it isn’t art.” new international artist Ziyu often responds to those who questions what is the concept or meaning of her drawings and paintings. Fusing together animals and interiors (sometimes exteriors) where the animals are least likely to appear, and manipulating subtly of perspective, artist Ziyu challenges our expectations as viewers in her first solo exhibition. Ziyu’s works often fool the viewer with a playful and saturated surface. However, on detailed observation, one discovers tensions and conflicts abound. This may be the tension between the creature and its surrounding or it could be the conflict between the viewer and the painting itself. Thus, come have a say about whether it’s truly impossible to have an elephant roam about a Roman themed Italian room. Just be ware that there may be a giraffe peeking at you from the Chinese garden pavilion right by.
Each of Ziyu’s works is also a sagacious, often critical, statement. For instance, this show triggers us to move beyond art. In our normal mindsets, these odd scenarios do not readily appear within the boundaries that we have set for ourselves, just like how we have set up both peaceful and violent boundaries between nationalities, communities, and species. October 2012 article “Blood Ivory” in National Geographic laments the death of 25,000 elephants poached last year. Sino-Japan recent island conflict doesn’t stretch far from the idea either, not to mention the tensions among many different groups in the world currently. It’s interesting. The tribulations we would go through to have ourselves believe that we are protecting our sense of nation, community, and defending ourselves against external influences like an elephant maliciously visiting out elegant rooms, are actually quite overwhelming.
You are, therefore, invited to the “The Elephant that Stayed in the Room” Exhibition Opening on December 6th, Thursday, 6:30pm with an open mind and perspectives of your own. Address: O. Gallery | Lane 18 Gao’An Road, Building #6, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
The Elephant that Stayed in the Room
Saturday, December 01 - Saturday, December 15, 2012
Opening reception for the artist: Thursday, December 6th, from 6:30 to 9 pm
“If the image can’t tell the story, and it needs further explanation, then it isn’t art.” new international artist Ziyu often responds to those who questions what is the concept or meaning of her drawings and paintings. Fusing together animals and interiors (sometimes exteriors) where the animals are least likely to appear, and manipulating subtly of perspective, artist Ziyu challenges our expectations as viewers in her first solo exhibition. Ziyu’s works often fool the viewer with a playful and saturated surface. However, on detailed observation, one discovers tensions and conflicts abound. This may be the tension between the creature and its surrounding or it could be the conflict between the viewer and the painting itself. Thus, come have a say about whether it’s truly impossible to have an elephant roam about a Roman themed Italian room. Just be ware that there may be a giraffe peeking at you from the Chinese garden pavilion right by.
Each of Ziyu’s works is also a sagacious, often critical, statement. For instance, this show triggers us to move beyond art. In our normal mindsets, these odd scenarios do not readily appear within the boundaries that we have set for ourselves, just like how we have set up both peaceful and violent boundaries between nationalities, communities, and species. October 2012 article “Blood Ivory” in National Geographic laments the death of 25,000 elephants poached last year. Sino-Japan recent island conflict doesn’t stretch far from the idea either, not to mention the tensions among many different groups in the world currently. It’s interesting. The tribulations we would go through to have ourselves believe that we are protecting our sense of nation, community, and defending ourselves against external influences like an elephant maliciously visiting out elegant rooms, are actually quite overwhelming.
You are, therefore, invited to the “The Elephant that Stayed in the Room” Exhibition Opening on December 6th, Thursday, 6:30pm with an open mind and perspectives of your own. Address: O. Gallery | Lane 18 Gao’An Road, Building #6, Xuhui District, Shanghai.
