MASCARADE
exposición individual de Adèle Aproh
21.12.24 - 20.2.24
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The analysis of the complexity of human identity and its relationship with the social, cultural, and symbolic realms lies at the heart of Adèle Aproh's work. In these pieces, the mask rises as a means to articulate diverse readings: a device that simultaneously conceals and reveals, that connects with the collective while isolating the individual, and that shapes new identities while dissolving them. Far from being an immovable core, identity is a constantly evolving construct, a negotiated terrain where the imposed and the chosen coexist. Based on these approaches between the authentic and the superficial, Aproh raises fundamental questions about the very nature of the self, and the narratives that define both the individual and the collective.
In one of its multiple symbolic dimensions, the mask not only acts as a protective shield against external judgment but also exempts its wearer from taking responsibility for their social behavior. Drawing inspiration from James Ensor and the deep social critique present in the Belgian artist's work, Adèle Aproh unfolds in her drawings a visual satire where the characters, dressed in extravagant circus-themed fabrics, are lost behind their own masks, shown as the facade chosen to present themselves in society. The unchanging, expressionless faces of the identical protagonists merge with their costumes, making it impossible to decipher their emotions.
Aproh's use of the mask extends beyond its symbolic or critical dimension to the realm of the physical. The costume is understood as a continuation of the mask, a second skin that, like the mask, plays with the identity one chooses to adopt. Inspired by fashion archives, ballet, and Japanese Noh theater, Adèle Aproh refers to clothing as a field of experimentation to transform or expand identity. A complete overlay of personalities that suggests the "Self" is composed of a multiplicity of layers in constant metamorphosis. Some visible, others not, Adèle Aproh reminds us that we all wear masks, inviting us to see them not as a barrier, but as a mirror that reflects our own identity, as well as our fears and aspirations.
Text by Manuela Medina
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born 1996 and lives and works in Paris, France.
Aproh brings together a unique visual lexicon to create fantastical, fictional worlds built up layer upon layer. Her drawings, executed expertly in colored pencil and pastel, tell stories within stories, unfolding a complex universe full of symbolism and references. Aproh approaches themes of identity, uniformity, social and work hierarchies with surrealist absurdity. In her work, the artist addresses the construction of identity through different social codes, visualized through her protagonist’s uniformity of outfits, hairstyles, facial features, and actions.
Pulling inspiration from all around, Aproh creates a melting pot of her own culture, surroundings, and herself. She frequents the local library focused on fashion history and flips through books illustrating the archival designs of Issey Miyake and Kenzo; during creative blocks, she plays Miyazaki films and finds both serenity and inspiration from the characters that fill the screen. Seamlessly weaving together a diverse web of personal and cultural references, Aproh narrates a multi-layered tale of identity and inclusion.
