NADA KEZU

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Good Grief Exhibition Review 2023

 

Nestled in the shadows of city high-rises on Hardware Street, La La Land  is a typical Melbourne-hidden-gem bar, whose modest façade does little to reveal what treasures lie within. Already well established as a local favourite to city dwellers for its moody lighting, retro-cool chesterfield couches and casual afterwork vibes, last night La La Land expanded this treasure trove to launch the debut solo collection of emerging artist Nada Kezu.

 

Passing the welcoming fireplace and ascending the art-deco inspired stairs, the nineteen-piece collection of Nada’s work, titled ‘Good Grief’ cuts through the dim lit bar like a guiding north star. Tastefully framed against large industrial windows, the striking collection instantly invites visitors to take a close look at the universal themes of grief, loss, love and hope.

 

While there is a distinctive theme and stylistic palette to the collection, the broad variety of imagery, from depictions of serene sea life to ominous floating heads, turn the obviously very personal journey of the artist into an adventure of discovery for her audience. Each piece has a name, but the deeper meaning is left to the observer to interpret through their own lens of what grief means to them. This creates an almost interactive experience, and I observed many guests study the collections in deep thought.

 

Nada’s work of predominantly acrylic on canvas, is applied in thick, flowing strokes, creating a real sense of movement. Light dances off the rough but deliberate strokes which also add to the sensation of movement in some work, and uneasiness in others. Even though some pieces were sold prior to the exhibition, they are still represented as masterful fine art reproductions by the talented team at Matte Image in Abbotsford, and available for purchase at the venue.

 

This was one of many collaborations on the night, with Nada assembling an all-star ensemble including entertainment by talented musician Kaylah Thomas, mood music by award winning composer Adam Ritchie and a short film by creative filmmaker Brett D'Souza . Attendees were treated to a screening of the short film, capturing a ritualistic burning of the original painting 'Take me with you'  as a literal shedding of past grief and creating a way to forge ahead with hope of starting anew.

 

The film was a watershed moment for the evening as Nada talked openly of some of the trauma of her own past that directly inspired the collection, which in turn led guests to openly share experiences of their own. This unlocked a new relevance and way to observe the paintings which in turn created a real unifying energy to the evening.

 

In her first exhibition, Nada has managed to take age-old themes of love and loss and confidently represent them in her own stylistic way. She is quickly establishing herself as not only a unique storyteller, but as an artist bursting with a creative originality and authenticity that resonates with her audience.

 

In a community still collectively recovering from the trauma of isolation and uncertainty, her work represents an important lesson in how we can all keep moving forward, just as she has done.

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Dion Stojsavljevic