A calamity of fortunate events
Each of Chaz’s photographs feature a hooded mannequin. Photo: Chaz.
Just like the mysterious street artist Banksy, photographer Chaz is all about mystique, to the point of staging an anonymous exhibition of their work at The Refinery ArtSpace in Nelson.
A Calamity of Fortunate Events is an exhibition of 10 one-metre-high photos by a photographer who wishes their identity to remain unknown, apart from their simple artist’s name, Chaz.
The photographs combine black and white film photography with modern digital imagery, where a hooded mannequin features in each scene of local buildings. The exhibition is described by Chaz as “unique pieces of work exploring our past and present selves”.
A spokesperson for Chaz says none of the 10 photos will appear online or be replicated anywhere else, though two will have their digital image projected onto Nelson’s clock tower at night throughout the exhibition which runs between 15 January and 10 February.
The Refinery ArtSpace manager Janja Heathfield says it is a remarkable, debut exhibition that uses the hooded figure to tell a story which, like all art, is open to interpretation.
“It’s something we haven’t seen before and it is quite stunning.”
To Janja, the exhibition is about separation and nostalgia, where the hooded figure can be anyone.
“It’s a very evocative exhibition.”