Art has many faces, especially if you paint it directly onto, well…a face. Take a look at some of the many trippy images from a new exhibition coming to the city as part next month’s Hong Kong International Photography Festival. “Visages” by French artist Niko de La Faye is the culmination of two years’ work with more than 75 volunteer models.
The shapes and colours painted onto human faces result in a mesmerising effect that is meant to symbolise the connection between the models, photographer and art appreciator.
If that’s not weird and wacky enough for you, the artist, who divides his time between Paris and Beijing, will also mutter into the ear of each visitor via an audio recording, explaining the story behind the individual portraits.
“I was intrigued by the idea of adding shapes and colours to the existing landscape of the human face. I would also integrate living eyes within the canvas. This way I could give an interesting dimension to an image that would be a mix between painting and photography,” explains Niko.
de La Faye, who regularly directs shadow theatre shows in Beijing and formally designed costumes in Paris, says performance is an underlying component in all his work, whether as the end result or part of the creative process.
See the exhibition in all its glory from Sept. 6 – 20 at Mur Nomade, Unit 1606, 16/F, Hing Wai Centre, 7 Tin Wan Praya Road, Aberdeen
