Emi Mizukami's "The birds are gone" employs a muted palette with bursts of vibrant colors, blending organic shapes and textures. The painting’s composition features an obscured central image with a ghostly figure, hinting at a concealed narrative beneath. Mizukami's distinct method of layering paint with Namib Desert sand and then overlaying new imagery creates a rich texture. The style speaks to a fusion of mythology and materiality, inviting viewers into a dialogue of hidden versus visible realities, reflecting her exploration of the complex interplay of perception and unseen narratives. ...
Mizukami merges mythology and materiality by combining stories from various cultures into richly layered works that challenge what is seen and unseen. Her technique involves first painting an image, then obscuring it entirely with pigment mixed with Namib Desert sand. She then overlays a new image atop this hidden layer, generating a complex dialogue between visible and concealed narratives within a single piece. This duality between the hidden and the visible layers generates a dynamic tension, enriching the spatial and temporal experience within the painting. The disconnection and interplay between these layers, shaped by different moments and artistic choices, combine to form a single cross-section—reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of the world we navigate. While the underlying image remains physically present but invisible, the act of covering it does more than hide; it adds depth and meaning, inviting viewers to consider what lies beneath and how concealment shapes perception and understanding. ...
Ehrlich Steinberg is an LA-based contemporary art gallery founded in 2023. The gallery exhibits national and international artists with a focus on emerging and research-based practices.
