24/4/2015
Zora Mann
Chert, Berlin
Mann is an atypic contemporary artist, her work hinges between craft-art and contemporary western art, where decoration is mainly consider non-art. Her references are: tribal art, African decorations, intuitive patterns, colourful motives and ornamentals models.
Chert gallery is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Zora Mann, opening reception on Saturday the
25th of April, 2015.
Zora Star Cahusac Mann was born in Amersham UK in 1979, from African parents (her mother from
Uganda and father from Kenya). She grew up travelling, between Europe, Africa and America, where her
family moved during her infancy following a hippie movement. After relocating in Germany, at age 13, she
started a modeling career which continued successfully for many years, when she decided to quit with the
fashion business and study art.
References of her past life experiences emerge in her work: tribal art, African decorations, intuitive patterns,
subconscious and dreamy-like images, colourful motives, ornamentals models, all of her works carry
references to her personal journey through many different places and cultures.
All the pieces presented in the exhibition show different aspects of her cultural heritage. The upper space
of the gallery will display a series of shields that are decorated with traditional tribal patterns. The curtain
dividing the two spaces is made out of recycled flip-flops that are found littered on beaches and in waterways
of Kenya. Flip-flops are one of the largest marine pollutants on the Indian Ocean beaches and nowadays there
are several artisans in Kenya working on a recycling project of these materials. These projects started in late
nineties initiated by a marine conservationist called Julie Church. Zora Mann has also worked on this project
years ago during one of her stays in Kenya. The varieties of flip-flops are collected, cleaned and cut into small
rounded pieces, which are then strung together to form a mosaic like painting.
The space downstairs is occupied by a wall painting that continues to reflect her ornate decorative art. The
visitors are invited to sit and contemplate the mural and turn their attention to the details offered by the large
wall painting.
Mann is an atypic contemporary artist, her work hinges between craft-art and contemporary western art,
where decoration is mainly consider non-art. Her point of view challenge a very true cultural paradox: what
is for Western people meaningless ornament, is for tribal culture full of references, spiritual implications and
allusions.
Image: Zora Mann
Press Contact: press@chert-berlin.com
Opening: Opening reception: 25th April, 2015, at 7 pm
Chert
Skalitzerstrasse 68 - 10997 Berlin