mad
EXPLOSIVE
spontaneity D AW N O K O R O
F E B R U A RY 2 4 - M A R C H 2 4 2 0 2 2 M A D D OX G A L L E RY, 9 M A D D OX S T , W 1
Maddox Gallery is delighted to present Mad Explosive Spontaneity, a solo exhibition of work created by Dawn Okoro, a painter and fashion designer from Austin, Texas. Mad Explosive Spontaneity is a lyric written by MC and trailblazer for women in hip-hop, Bahamadia. Using wordplay, allusions, and jazz samples to make her point, the line alludes to the lyricist’s ability to shine in an industry that marginalizes the contribution of women. “To scoop all capabilities of spontaneity within me Depicted kicked it true Vibes pops jazz but collaborated with the cool Known flows, but unfamiliar grooves that soothe Individuals’ moods like soul food for thought” SPONTANEITY - BAHAMADIA
Inspired by hip-hop, punk and the compositional techniques used in fashion photography, Dawn Okoro’s latest exhibition includes twelve conceptual portraits that capture a moment of spontaneity in each subject’s life. Exploring the idea of personal style as rebellion, Okoro showcases an array of creative individuals including Black artists, musicians and actors, all of whom present themselves truthfully and in resistance to societal expectations. Using space, movement, pattern and texture, Okoro conveys a sense of grit and extravagance throughout her work. This is underscored by her gestural use of gold leaf to obscure parts of the body and reflects her own experience of erasure and hyper-visibility. With Mad Explosive Spontaneity, as with all her paintings, Okoro aims to create and hold space for herself and others who have been subject to a similar experience.
01 FREE FALL, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The model is Gerilyn Hayes. She is the lead singer of a heavy metal band.
02 REMINISCENCE, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The pose is inspired by the model’s love of ballet. She started taking ballet lessons as a child, then picked it up again recently as adult. The model is NNEDi Nebula. She is a dancer and singer.
03 CUT THROUGH, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The model is Semente. She is a Brazilian performance artist. She does Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music.
04 FIERCE, 2021 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The subject’s dress is made of gold leaf. The model is singer Karma Stewart.
05 LISTEN UP, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The model is creative and performer Camille Khali. She is a model, actress and creative.
06 UPFRONT, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm There are bits of gold leaf. On the man’s jumpsuit. The model is Jordan, a Nigerian-American.
07 SPACE AERIALIST, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The model is wearing a clown outfit costume that he brought to the sitting. He is a dancer, and this is something that he would wear clubbing, dance in, and have a good time. The model is Vertarias Black.
12 PAPILLON, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The horns of the unicorns on the woman’s dress are made of gold leaf. The model is Sade Lawson. She a visual artist who has made several murals.
09 REVEL, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The model is Semente. She is a Brazilian performance artist. She does Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music.
10 POLITICS OF DANCING, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The subject’s outfit is embellished with gold leaf The model is singer and artist Theo Love.
11 VAMPS AND RIFFS, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The name is inspired by music. The swirling marks on the subject’s dress and body are inspired by symbolic wall reliefs from Uganda. The model is Tyeschea West, who is a visual artist.
08 SENDING, 2022 Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 91 x 91 cm The painting is red, white and blue, the colors of the American flag. The model is Nigerian-American writer Tope Eletu.