A vow to create a self-portrait a day turns into a 365-day project. Artist Ala Paredes opens her first solo exhibit in Australia.
Filipino-Australian artist Ala Paredes will be showcasing the fruits of her year-long art project in a solo exhibit to open tomorrow night (Thursday) at the Gaffa Gallery in Sydney.
Titled "Without Memory, Without Desire", the exhibit features a collection of her self-portraits, mainly in watercolour, that she made in a span of 12 months.
"I started it on my 29th birthday without it intentionally becoming a year-long exercise. But I kept doing it every day, and three weeks after I started, I realised it was turning into a serious discipline," she said.
Inspired by the Zen concept of a “beginner’s mind”, Paredes discovers the nature of creative inspiration through discipline and repetition.
"I suppose there are many artists who try to do a drawing a day, or something similar, for all sorts of different reasons."
Hers was to develop a creative habit. "I wanted to destroy and recreate myself everyday. Create something, then practice non-attachment by moving on quickly."
"People can expect to see an evolution of that creative journey," she said.
The exhibit opens tomorrow night (6pm-8pm) and will be up until November 11. Admission is free.
Without Memory, Without Desire
From October 31 - November 11
Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence St (near Town Hall Station)
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm, Sat: 11am-5pm
Free (Drinks available with gold-coin donation)
More info: http://alaparedes.wix.com/alaparedes-art
Art exhibit by Ala Paredes
Art exhibit by Ala Paredes