May 11 - June 17, 2023
“Kaima Marie Akarue: I want to be famous
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.
About Kaima Marie Akarue
Kaima Marie Akarue is the daughter of a Nigerian immigrant and a white mother, which allowed her to exist simultaneously within two vastly different cultures. That genetic melange, coupled with the rich diversity of her hometown of Houston, Texas mimics the duality in her art practice. Through fragmented realities, Kaima uses collage and paintings to discover the social implications of individual and collective identity, inviting the viewer to investigate their perception and navigate through the distortions of dense assemblage and crushed glass. She has showcased nationally in group exhibitions, including the Glendale Library, San Antonio Art League and Museum, and the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Her work continues to garner attention, winning “Best in Show” and other awards. She is currently working on her MFA in painting at the University of Houston.”
Reception: May 11, 2023 | 5–7:30 pm
111 Hampton
Fort Worth, 76102 TX
817.692.3228.
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