Art Dubai 2024: assume vivid astro focus

Eli Sudbrack, more commonly known in the art scene as avaf is a Brazilian artist Born in Rio de Janeiro and based between NY and Sao Paulo. Formed as a filmmaker in the 90s, Eli quickly realised the film market in Brazil at the time was lacking and moved to the US in 98. At the time fully based in NY, Eli found a haven where he could express himself fully and made the transition beginning his practice as an artist. 

The use of the pseudonym “avaf” is not random. Rather it connects with one of Eli’s main concepts, that of placing all the attention on the artwork itself and not on other external elements like the individual. This spectator-centric theme is visible in all of AVAF’s installation, where the intended outcome is a complete immersion in the artists' colour spectrum. The goal is for each colour shade to resonate within every visitor, alleviating them from the mundane monotony of routine. AVAF places the audience at the core of their installations. Viewers are not mere spectators but active participants in all projects. The vibrancy of their works is intricately linked to the audience, emphasising that without the viewer, their projects would cease to exist. The entire creative process is designed with the viewer's impact and involvement in mind.

AVAF has been producing all encompassing installations, as will be shown by Baro since 2016, all stemming from a consistent pattern established in 2008. The source is a digital file featuring a wallpaper, from which various details are extracted and subsequently modified in terms of colours and shapes. Inspiration for AVAF's creations is drawn from the interplay of light filtering through colours on electronic screens (computer, mobile, tablet). The objective is to replicate this sensory encounter from electronic devices using acrylic paint and pigments. The artist, immersed in the colours emanating a quasi-"divine" light from screens during their daily activities, seeks to convey this experience through their works.

The fundamental concept is that colour is a manifestation of light, with the entire perception of colour originating from light interacting with objects or individuals. AVAF deliberately avoids placing glass in front of their paintings to eliminate any barrier between the viewer and the sensory experience of colour. The matte surfaces of their paintings intentionally lack shine, directing all luminosity and vitality towards the vibrancy of colours rather than the surface itself. Colour holds a profound significance for AVAF, paralleling the gravity of their own existence. As a testament to this commitment, the artists have devised their own Pantone system, featuring 100 colours in each palette, with varying pigment concentrations for each colour.

The environment encompassing AVAF's workspace and domestic setting is adorned with plants, a motif that gradually made its way into their paintings. Orchids, a recurrent and commonly collected plant, stand out among these natural elements.