Camille Walala’s latest installation references pop-art paintings

London based artist, Camille Walala’s 'Putting Things In Perspective' is a quirky larger-than-life installation that was first unveiled as part of the Making It exhibition at The Box, a museum and gallery in Plymouth. Curated by Alter-Projects, the exhibition featured the works of several international artists and explored the possibility of creating new objects and installations by salvaging already existing objects. Placed at Tavistock Place, which is a public square, the interactive installations that populated the exhibition remained on display in the square until late 2021.

“Being commissioned by the Box to create a public artwork was an incredible opportunity to push my work in a new direction. After the intensity of the last year, I find myself more attracted to softer lines, drawn by hand. I want them to be slightly imperfect,” shares Walala.

The 2 metres tall, 6m long and 2.5m wide installation imbues its surroundings with a playful energy. Although characterised by myriad shapes and patterns in several contrasting colours, it sits like a balanced and cohesive piece in the public square. The sculptural piece was fabricated by Walala alongside her long-standing collaborators Juli Jomaa and Simon Sawyer, creative producer and technician respectively. “This year has been a good lesson of letting go. In the last few months I have really enjoyed spending time painting and experimenting with colours. Taking the time to find the right tone of each colour was really joyful and satisfying,” says Walala about the process that led her to design the installation.

Made out of marine plywood, the sculptural piece was also layered with a three-part waterproofing treatment, making it sturdy enough to occupy the outdoor space. Drawing references from the cubist paintings of Fernand Léger as well as pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, the installation appears like an abstract 2D drawing that has come to life. Although Putting Things In Perspective ascribes to Walala’s trademark style, it presents itself as a more evolved version of her distinct design aesthetic. The subtler and softer colours and edges of the sculptural piece define her fresh perspective.

Camille Walala’s work as an artist is characterised by vibrant and bold colours and shapes. Her murals, installations, street art and interior designs all carry a playful energy that have the ability to singularly transform the spaces they occupy. Walala does not shy away from using all kinds of geometric shapes and forms in her designs, a feature that effectively distinguishes her work.