American artist Paul Rousso is set to hold his first exhibition in Singapore, unfolding his iconic artwork on paper as a medium and their significance to Southeast Asia. Meeting Asia for the first time along with his inaugural exhibition is his series of Asian Bubble Cash, the latest metamorphosis of his works on currencies and their influence. Showcasing Asian currency bills in a swirling dome, it highlights the fast-growing financial and cultural economy of Asia with the ingenious use of currency bills celebrating the rise and influence of Asia as a vibrant economic center.
It invites viewers to understand the growing significance of Asia and serves as a testament to the power, diversity, and immense potential that Asia represents on the world stage. Alongside this centrepiece will be a string of new works, all also touching on the same poignant subject of money and paper as the thread that strings along the world economy. Most renowned for his concept of “flat depth”, which he has been refining his entire professional career, he renders flat inanimate objects three-dimensional and collapses three-dimensional objects into two dimensions through a fusion of countless complex artistic methods.
This is achieved through traditional methods of painting, printing, sculpting, welding, chemistry, digital manipulation and digital printing as well as more outrageous methods of heat infusion on plexiglass for hyper-realistic, hyper-sized and pop art-inspired sculptures.
Power of Paper: “Anything is possible with a dollar and a dream”
Stretching the perceived value of a currency note, Rousso transforms bank notes of different currencies into giant artworks of different in this exhibition. He removes the currency from its traditional purpose and function of trading for value into symbolic themes that explore the idiosyncrasies of society.
“Anything is possible with a dollar and a dream,” he believes, playing on a currency’s history and use, followed by its rise and fall and subsequent effect on the lives of the people who use them. Through the intricate fusion of various artistic techniques and his utilisation of polystyrene, he weaves a narrative that reflects his fascination with paper. From currency notes to old cartoons, he touches upon familiar mediums, prompting us to question whether they might become foreign objects to future generations due to the ever-increasing digitization of the world.
Despite their profound depth and complexity, the works come with remarkable accessibility and relatability, with a universal appeal that transcends boundaries. “Power of Paper” stands as a testament to the enduring power of this medium as a conduit for artistic expression, showcasing the artist’s mastery in a truly remarkable display.
For all the production and manpower exerted in the crumpled appearance of these objects, Rousso's nuanced satire lies in inflating their size to inescapable proportions. Intricately detailed renderings at such outsized dimensions as four to five feet in size force the viewer into the role of studied observer. It is in this way that Rousso’s art speaks to the conversion of physical objects and the effect of that transformation on the viewer.
Some names who are avid collectors of his works include Floyd Mayweather, DJ Zedd and Rihanna.
Duration: 1 - 15 September 2023
