Korean-American artist Young Sun Han presents a new body of work in photography and performance in his second solo exhibition at City Art Rooms.

Dance of the Cockatrice is the title of a set of photographs depicting the artist’s nude body painted in vibrant camouflage patterns to match an appropriated mural based on a screen print by Andy Warhol. Each photograph captures the artist in dramatic poses. The sequence of movements causes his painted skin to stretch and tear, revealing more flesh as the series progresses.

The use of camouflage and a mask, covering most of Han’s face, may refer to strategies in which individuals adapt their identity and personalities to blend into society. While represented as a physical alteration in the photographs, this chameleon-like quality also symbolises a cultural and behavioural adjustment individuals undergo.

Referencing Warhol indicates the artist’s interest in the tension between voyeurism and exhibitionism. Warhol’s subjects were held under clinical scrutiny in video and photographic works that challenged issues of privacy and exposure. As in Warhol’s subjects, Han’s gaze into the lens is self-assured and confronts the viewer like a seductive advertisement.

The camouflage both conceals and reveals Han’s body in different moments, and the dance appears to be an open invitation and ambivalent strip tease. The subject is delicately aware of the viewer and invites such glances. In this instance, the artist implies that the act of voyeurism comes at a cost – a cockatrice, referenced in the title, is a mythological half-rooster half-reptile that possesses the power to turn people into stone with its glare.

A live performance in the gallery will recreate the photographs on opening night. Audience members will be entangled with the artist’s gaze as he stalks around the City Art Rooms space, his armour of paint peeling away with each step.

“The ‘dance’ is inspired by the act of cruising, which is a kind of eye tug-of-war when encountering strangers. It’s a simultaneous display of desire and power play, which reminds me of my experiences of looking at art and sexy consumer goods,” says Han.

Young Sun Han (b. 1982, USA) has been a NZ resident since 2008 and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and also studied at Goldsmiths College, London. His recent performances include Sliding Mirror at the 4A Centre of Cont. Art, Sydney, and 24 Hour Embrace at the Swimming Pool Project Space, Chicago. He has also exhibited in the Suter Gallery, Nelson and the New Dowse, Lower Hutt. He was a finalist in the Trust Waikato National Contemporary Art Awards in 2008. (City Art Rooms, 2010)

I had the pleasure of helping Young get things sorted and all ready on time for the guests to arrive. Quite a time schedule that’s for sure. The performance was approximately one hour-long and rather spellbinding. As presumed, the audience stood frozen for at least 10 – 15 minutes before accepting that it was okay for them to go and get some fresh air or talk and have a drink.

There were moments when Young would pause and squint at the crowd, staring out as a cockatrice would, finding his prey. But these gauges were also a game, waiting for someone to blind or turn away, and then Young would continue to remove the paint.

It became evident the performance was coming to an end when Young started to move about a lot more, flex and literally scratch at his body to remove the paint. The end was quite a climax as Young suddenly just stopped scratching at the paint, stood up straight and walked out. Just like that it was over. The applause was great and full of appreciation. I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like what I saw that night. Sure it was hard to separate myself from the fact that I knew Young, we had talked about the process of the performance and the theory behind it. But my breath was taken away.

Young this is a kind of tribute to you. I want as many people to see your work as possible. The photos that remain from the performance are wonderful.

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you and being your friend.

View the photographs at City Art Rooms, or go to www.cityartrooms.co.nz