Maison Kasini announces the publication of David Orfé: Maori Victorians.
David Orfé presents a series of acrylic on canvas paper that blends Victorian portrait with Kirituhi-inspired patterns of the Maori. The result is a body of work that plays with the imagery of colonialization and cultural imperialism to make a unique cultural expression.
About David Orfé
David Orfé (born 1984) is originally from Lille in the north of France. His constant travels over the past four years have taken him to Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and across Canada before landing in Montreal where he has spent the past six months. He is entirely self-taught and his artwork is directly connected to and inspired by his way of life. Since he was a child, he has always been copying, drawing and trying out new ideas. In the last ten years, he has focused more seriously on his art and in the last four years he has moved to larger work and has developed his own style.
The idea for “Maori Victorians” with their juxtaposition of Kirituri-inspired patterns of the Maori and proper 19th century French people came from Orfé’s 15-month sojourn in New Zealand, traveling around the islands and making his way by doing seasonal work: working in the wine industry, picking fruit and pruning vines. With this series, as with his other work, Orfé has developed his own world and characters, bringing together folk culture, mysticism, natural and spiritual themes which meet colorful psyché patterns in a geometrical world. His materials and technical approach is also informed by his travels. He works in media conducive to moving from place to place each day. As he says, “You need to find the right tools when your creative space is the front seat of your studio-house-car.”
About the Catalogue
The catalogue presents the work exhibited at Galerie Maison Kasini in Montreal, March 30 to May 7, 2011. (EXHIBITION DETAILS HERE) The catalogue contains an essay by Ric Kasini Kadour that explores Orfé’s work and 12 full-colour images.
Details:
ISBN 978-0-9865298-8-7
Publisher: Maison Kasini Canada | 2011
Size: 7.5″x5.25″
Binding: saddle-stitched paperback
24 pages
12 images
Publication ©2011 Maison Kasini Canada
Images ©2011 David Orfé
Book Design by Ric Kasini Kadour
